From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Bookcase, Adjustable Shelving
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Empire period bookcase is constructed of solid mahogany and features bronze detailing of laurels, and palmettes. The bookshelf is divided into th...
Bronze
IMPORTANT PAIR OF EMPIRE SHELVES Napoleon III 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT PAIR OF EMPIRE SHELVES Napoleon III 19th century French, 19th century 19th century, clad in rosewood wood, with three shelves, gilded carvings. Small defects. Dim.: 1...
Wood
Unusual Empire Style Bookcase, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Quirky and unusual Empire style breakfront bookcase, the wood painted with a faux bois trompe l'oeil, and decorated with plaster moldings painted gold....
Italian Empire Pedestal Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century Round Marble Top Italian Pedestal. Top sits over three ebonized column supports with carved gilt wood accents at top and bottom. The ebonized columns are a key fea...
Marble
Antique 1810 France Cast Iron Bookcase Shelves Flowers
Located in Munich, DE
Charming and elegant shelves made out of cast iron. The front of this slim piece of furniture and the struts are decorated with flowers.
Iron
$6,000 / set
Pair of Empire Étagères
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Rouge Royal marble tops with two toned mahogany (the mahogany originally bleached to create this contrast) and brass mouldings.
Wood
Original Antique Empire Library / Shelve / Vitrine, circa 1860-1880 Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Biblithek, circa 1860s-1880s from an Empire room Mahogany with beautiful empire figures, cast bronze. Very rare to get today. 3 glass doors, interior with glass shelves, ...
Mahogany
19th Century antique Empire Style French Mahogany Vitrine bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
High quality Cuban mahogany on solid softwood. Architecturally structured body. Two-door, carved claw feet. Bronze caryatid. polished gold. Finely chased, gold-plated fittings.
Mahogany
$241
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$1,450
H 37.5 in W 17 in D 13 in
Antique Bamboo Etagere, Five Shelves, English, 19th Century, Ca. 1880s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique burnt bamboo etagere / shelves. This piece has five shelves including the top one. Very nice and sturdy condition.
Bamboo
19th Century Mahogany Campaign Etagere
Located in London, GB
A 19th Century Mahogany campaign etagere. Comprising three rectangular shelves supported by turned columns raised on castors. The shelves are collaps...
Mahogany
Vintage Oak Bookcase Folding Desk Shelves French Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
Bookcase folding desk vintage shelves, mid-20th century Massive oak Depth of the shelves: 8.46 in. (21,5 cm) Dimension of the foldable desk: D 19.29 x L 24.41 x H 25.98 in. (D: 49 L:...
Oak
$1,784
H 49.61 in W 21.66 in D 13.78 in
Antique 19th Century Anglo-Chinese Lacquered Bamboo Etagere Shelves, England
Located in London, GB
Antique 19th century Anglo-Chinese lacquered bamboo etagere shelves. C.1880 England In very good condition, with expected signs of wear commensurate with age.
Bamboo, Lacquer
$3,950
H 63.75 in W 36 in D 12.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Modular 3 Piece, 4 Drawer Shelves - Bookcase
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon three piece, sectional Bookcase, Shelves, Drawers, 1950's. Featuring rectangular construction in Maple, three modular sections, open top uni...
Birch
Large French Neoclassical Pine Bookcase / Shelving
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large French neoclassical Louis XVI style bookcase - Shelving unit.
Pine
19th Century British Colonial Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century British Colonial shelf made from teak. There are tall hand turned finials on the top over three shelves, all with scalloped galleries...
Teak
$2,731Sale Price|20% Off
H 46.46 in W 41.74 in D 15.75 in
Angelo Mangiarotti Italian Wood Bookcases Shelves Cavalletto Model for Agapecasa
By AgapeCasa, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
A furnishing system made entirely of wood, designed by Angelo Mangiarotti in 1953. Its distinctive feature is a trestle in the shape of an upturned “V”, which means it is superimposable by means of a siply gravity joint, and whose special perimeter section can accomodate bookshelves on which closed containers...
Wood
Pair of Directoire Style Étagères
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Directoire style mahogany étagères or bookcases. Has brass pineapple finials at the top.
Mahogany
$838Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 25.2 in D 5.91 in
Wall Wood Shelves Napoleon III with Brass Gallery & Marquetry, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Wood Mural Three Shelves of Napoléon III period with a brass gallery. Very fine details: you can observe the elaborate gallery, the hand-shaped suspensions...
Brass
Matched Pair of 19th Century Plate Racks
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Matched pair of 19th Century plate racks in original grey paint from Halsingland, Sweden.
Wood
Early 20th century French empire revival music stand
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century French empire revival music stand circa 1900. Elegant and unusual french mahogany and ormolu stand or rack, multi purpose for music or magazines. Lyre form main ...
Ormolu
Sold
H 44.5 in W 34 in D 17.5 in
Late 19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Standing at 44.5 inches in height, this tall late nineteenth century French Empire style walnut console table features columns at the front corners and a Saint Anne marble top. A sin...
Marble
Sold
H 35.44 in Dm 14.18 in
French Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Metal Three-Shelf Tiered Table in Empire Style
Located in London, GB
French cloisonné enamel and gilt metal three-shelf tiered table in Empire style French, late 19th century Measures: Height 90cm, diameter 36cm This small Empire style shelved ci...
Metal, Enamel
Rider Cabinet Étagère
Located in New York, NY
Parisian flair. Our rider étagère is an updated take on French Empire style. Glossy black lacquer with antiqued brass accents and cast brass horse finials create a regal vibe. The fl...
Brass
Sold
H 77.17 in W 45.28 in D 14.38 in
Empire Style Burr Walnut Library Breakfront Bookcase Height Adjustable Shelves
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning burr walnut Library breakfront bookcase with Empire style pillars A very good looking well made and decorative bookcase, ideally s...
Walnut
Aristocratic Etagere in Royal, Donau Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple root and solid fully moulded carved beechwood. Partially gilded. Highly, right-angled body, architecturally structured body with two shelf boards and edging gallery in the fo...
Pair of Vintage Chrome Geometric Etageres
Located in North York, ON
This sophisticated and regal etagere pair is made of polished chrome frame with six floating glass shelves and brass finials to accent the top o...
Brass, Chrome
Large Sized Italian, Round Edges, Empire, Dismountable Cabinet
Located in IT
Large sized Empire wardrobe (360 cm wide), beginning of the 19th century, North Italy, Veneto. The body and the four doors are entirely made in pinewood and originally finished in y...
Pine, Wood
Provincial Walnut Standing Etagere from the 19th Century
Located in Hixson, TN
Provincial Walnut Standing Etagere from the 19th Century This nice quality etagere has three shelves and one drawer. The sides are configured with X slats giving it a nice side a...
Ebonized Empire Style Shelf Unit with Brass Mounts
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s ebonised empire style book case shelf unit. Three columns of open shelves with decorative brass mounts and ebonized finish.
Brass
A Set Of French Empire Mahogany Etagere Shelves
Located in London, GB
A set of French Empire mahogany etagere shelves each shelf supported on Jacob turned supports.
Mahogany
Pair Of Empire Style Mahogany And Bronze Mounted Bookcases
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top over a frieze section with central mount , over three adjustable shelves , plinth base.