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.
$6,906Sale Price|30% Off
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Crystal, Wire
$3,678Sale Price|30% Off
Side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum, maple, rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Rare side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum wood, maple and rosewood veneered on softwood, table top with floral banding and vase motif, ingenious mechanism w...
Fruitwood, Maple, Rosewood
Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk chair with carved diamond motif on crest and richly carved griffin wings above articulated paw feet with tan colored leather upholstery. Height: 30" Seat height: 17" Depth: ...
Leather, Mahogany
Pair Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Sac-à-Perle Chandeliers – Lovingly and Professionally Restored This stunning pair of antique chandeliers has been carefully and expertly restored in Berlin. T...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French 19th Century Empire Bleach Solid Mahogany Chest of Drawers / Commode
Located in Carmine, TX
19th Century French Empire Bleached Commode from France. Made of Mahogany, the wood was professionally sanded and bleached. with a beautiful blue hand pa...
Bronze
Antique Bergère Caned Victorian French Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Bergère Doouble Caned Victorian French armchair French double cane 19th century. Mahogany & bronze accents with original patina. New cane, wood fin...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's. We have 2 of these chandeliers available, and they are sold individually.
Metal
Empire Mirror by Johan Martin Berg, Gothenburg / Sweden, Early 19th Century
By Johan Martin Berg
Located in Greding, DE
Wall mirror with a mahogany-veneered frame and giltwood elements, featuring a pediment top and flanking half-columns with turned shafts. The lower section is composed of mirrored po...
Glass, Mahogany
Large Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of circa 1900 French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces showcases the mythological figure Acantha, a nymph beloved by the god Apollo. According to legend, Apollo transformed ...
Bronze
Napoleonic Porcelain Soup Plates Set of 10 by Nast w/ French Imperial Decoration
By Nast
Located in Katonah, NY
This set of ten beautiful French porcelain soup plates was made by Nast, the Parisian factory renowned for producing porcelain for Napoleon and his imperial court. During the Napole...
Porcelain
Italian Genovese Empire Chandelier 1780 in Gilded Wood and Crystal Twelve Lights
Located in Milano, MI
Extraordinary Genovese Chandelier circa 1780 with Twelve Lights with transparent and blue crystals. Large Empire chandelier in Sculpted and Gilded Wood from the late 18th century, li...
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Fabergé Porcelain Tea, Coffee Cups Set of Four in a Velvet Case
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fine porcelain set of four Fabergé original porcelain coffee or tea cups, service for four. Enjoy the start to your day with the classical sophistication only from Faberge. These s...
Porcelain
A French Empire Portrait of a Mother and Daughter in the manner of H.F. Reisener
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An elegant unsigned French Empire Family portrait of a mother and her young daughter presented in its original giltwood Empire frame executed in the manner of Henri Riesener. With...
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Aubusson French 1800 - 10.5" x 20"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
Early 19th Century Danish Mahogany Empire Inlaid Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish Empire secretary bureau crafted in mahogany veneer with both bowfront and concave cabinet doors. The piece features elaborate inlay and marquetry throughout...
Leather, Mahogany, Ivory
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Very period design. Newl...
Bronze
Antique French Mantel Clock, Fire-Gilded Bronze, Diana Motif, c. 1810
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Metal, Bronze
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Purple Red...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in bronze, early 19th Century France, originally candlesticks. Includes new black lacquer lampshade with gold details, giving the lamp a warm and ...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Onyx, Brass
French Empire Mahogany 'Egyptian' Bergère Attributed to Desmalter, circa 1805
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A rare and important circa 1805 'Egyptian-style' bergère believed to be an early work of famed French Empire furniture-maker François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter of 'tub-chair' fo...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Royal Copenhagen, pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks. 1962.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen, a pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks in porcelain. 1962. Model 1/15. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: Height 22.5 cm x 7.8 cm.
Porcelain
Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small, elegant Danish Empire bench crafted from mahogany, featuring delicate string inlays in satinwood on the ends. The seat has been newly upholstered in light gray linen, accented...
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Empire Ormolu Mounted Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French gilt-bronze mounted flame mahogany Empire bureau plat, Circa 1820 in date. The rectangular top is fitted with a black gold-tooled inset leather writing...
Mahogany
Pair of 19th century Empire Style Chairs with Sphinxes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire style chairs late 19th century. The rectangular backs carved with cornucopiae and laurel at the cresting, the arms supported by winged sphinxes, on sabre legs, each co...
Bronze
French 19th Century Gold Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mirror (c. 1800) is symmetrical to hang in either direction, exhibiting low-relief floral decorations that leave ample space for the gilt molding to reveal its red...
Gold
Fine Empire Four Drawer Chest In Flame Mahogany With Gris Marble Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine diminutive Empire Chest dating to the 1st half of the 19th Century in original condition. The Chest with book matched flame mahogany drawer fronts with great color, refined ro...
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
XIX Century Empire Commode 19th CENTURY EMPIRE CHEST. LARGE FRENCH EMPIRE CHEST IN MAHOGANY AND DECORATED WITH GOLDEN BRONZE.130X59X89 CM
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Table
Located in Chicago, IL
In the French Empire (1804-1815) period, grandeur was often measured in gilt bronze—sphinxes, swags, laurel wreaths gilded to catch the light. But every so often, a piece turns up th...
Mahogany
$2,850 / set
French Empire Doré Bronze Candlesticks, A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of French Empire Doré Bronze Candlesticks. These candlesticks feature a fluted and diamond-patterned shaft rising from a circular molded base with guilloché border. The upper se...
Bronze
$6,945Sale Price / set|35% Off
Antique Baccarat Champagne Flutes from Sainte Anne factory in Voneche, 1810 cca.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 33 piece set of 1st Empire Champagne Cut-Glass Flutes from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mauri...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Circa 1850 Antique French Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Pillow
Wool, Cotton
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Console Clock in Mahogany
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautiful and decorative late Empire console clock crafted in Cuban mahogany. The case is architecturally shaped with gracefully curved lines and executed with fine craftsmanship. ...
Metal, Brass
French Empire Period Commode w/Black Marble Top, Revival Accents, & Paw Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period wooden commode, with marble top and revival accents, from the early 19th century. This antique commode from France features a rectangular-shaped black marble t...
Wood
19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendulum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Danish Empire Mahogany With Inlay Arm Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Danish early 19th century empire armchairs. Crafted in mahogany and satinwood marquetry on backrest and apron. Apron and upper part of backrest decorated with diamo...
Hardwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
French 19th Century Empire Bronze Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century Empire style cast bronze table lamp with new linen shade, converted from gas to electric. This substantial Neoclassical fixture has a Greco-Roman female figure fo...
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk from the late 19th century is a striking piece of furniture, crafted from flame mahogany. The abattant (drop...
Wood, Mahogany
HAND CARVED & PAINTED ViNTAGE FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE EAGLE SOFA AND ARMCHAIR SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this lovely vintage circa 50 year old suite of French Empire style carved seating depicting large Eagles Please...
Upholstery, Wood
Wonderful Bronze Dolphin & Swan Green Tole Large Bouillotte Empire Regency Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Bronze Dolphin & Swan 4 Candelabra Light Painted Green Tole Metal Shade Large Bouillotte Empire / Regency Style Lamp
Metal, Bronze
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Empire Bed Maple Burl & Brass Ancient Grece Theme French 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique Empire maple and brass bed. This bed, which has already survived almost two centuries, is in excellent condition: solid and sound, the inlaid illustrations are of exceptiona...
Brass
An Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass And Patinated Bronze Lantern
Located in London, GB
A large Empire style lantern in patinated bronze with gilt brass accents. Four curved glass panels, decorative scrolled inner branch arms. Gilt br...
Brass, Bronze
$1,537Sale Price|30% Off
Early 20th Century Large Russian Imperial Brass Samovar Set
Located in Germantown, MD
A gorgeous, early 20th century large Russian imperial brass samovar set. Tray and bowl included. Measures 16" in width, 16" in depth and stands 22.5" tall.
Brass
19th Century French Empire Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century French tall chest of drawers with a black marble top, made from walnut. The case is lovely and has paneled sides and a single uppe...
Marble
$1,984Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Bronze
French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm Materials: walnut wood and marble Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Wood
$2,896Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Small Antique Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this fantastic small antique Italian desk dating back to the early 19th century, during the sumptuous Empire period. This desk, crafted from fine walnut, is characterized b...
Bronze
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Marble
Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Marjorie Skouras Samantha Empire Chandelier Turquoise + Quartz
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A spectacular Marjorie Skouras Design "Samantha" Empire Chandelier featuring Catalina white turquoise and pink rose quartz. The piece is constructed in a classical French Empire-style basket silhouette out of luminous white polished turquoise bead strands...
Stone, Iron
Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found near Paris, France, we purchased this museum quality 18th century Empire style desk for its impeccable quality and style. Made predominantly from walnut and featuring Empiric s...
Walnut
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century A charming cast iron paperweight in the shape of a reclining sphinx, dating fr...
Iron
Maitland Smith Italian Tole Wall Sculpture Lavabo 3 Piece Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant wall lavabo or wash basin with beautiful detail throughout including floral and various instruments. Lavabos are gracious religious bowls for the lavabo ceremony of washing t...
Metal
Table Box with Clock fired and Enamel fine hand-engraved arabesques Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Hexagonal table box with clock on the lid, in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with hand-painted fired enamel in the style of lapis lazuli stone and fine hand-engraved arabesques...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Empire Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet/Sideboard/Bar Cabinet with Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet / Sideboard / Bar Cabinet with Mirror This antique sideboard with a mirror top features a distinctive tiger oak wood...
Mirror, Oak
$12,500 / set
A fine pair of 19th century Empire mahogany benches
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French Empire mahogany hand carved Swan neck curule benches. Pawed feet
Mahogany
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Regency Bronze Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical / Regency bronze and graduating crystal basket form chandelier with medusa heads and six candelabra sockets around the outer frame and a beau...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style Marble-Top Painted Center Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage mid-century Empire-style center table, a silhouette revived by the famous Maison Jansen, and updated more recently in a fresh new color. The surface is a heavy disc of...
Marble