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.
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg. Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening. Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Style Beaded Crystal Basket Chandelier, Late 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A late 20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a classical circular brass structure and three E27 lights inside.Light bulbs can be replaced unscrewing the bro...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Walnut Commode with Ebonized Columns, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire walnut commode presents the clean architectural lines and restrained ornamentation associated with the early 19th century. Its façade is arranged in the classic Em...
Brass
Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel – 1848 Exceptional Russian silver goblet (Goblet), crafted in solid silver and fine ename...
Silver, Enamel
$2,200 / set
Set of Ten White and Gilt French Empire Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of ten white and gilt French Empire plates. Empire white and gilt plates with under-glaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 1800....
Porcelain
$16,705Sale Price|40% Off
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal, Iron, Wire
French Crystal Prisms Balls Empire Sconces, circa 1930 Sparklers
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze top, middle and bottom with great ...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Nightstand with Drawer and Door 19th Century in Solid Walnut
Located in Milano, MI
Antique Bedside Table in Empire Walnut with an elegantly threaded brass drawer surmounting a door concealing two interior shelves. The cabinet is solid walnut and has been fully line...
Brass, Bronze
Italian 19th Century Marquetry and Bronze Empire Side Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
Back decorated in various inlaid woods showing vines, flowers etc., The tops of the back chair rails are mounted with eagle heads, and are joined together with a turned gilded deco...
Wood
$48,950Sale Price|48% Off
Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Eagles Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Figural Center Table with Figures of Winged Eagles and Wreaths, the center medallion with a figure of a bull and and raised on lion paws over a sphere, fitted with a veined verde d'alps marble top (Marble top is recent and not the original - Gilding restored with 23.5 cart...
Marble
Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
By Atelier de moulage du Louvre, Germain Pilon
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Plaster
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Female Figures Vestals Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful French early 19th century Empire pair of ormolu and patinated bronze candlesticks with female figure decoration in the manner of Claude Galle: Each candlestick with a...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) A large a...
Bronze
A Pair Of Gilt Brass French Bouliotte Style Candle Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of Mid 20th century Gilt Brass Bouliotte style table lamps with new grey fabric shades. The circular plinth base with reeded stem supporting two tall candle style arms. Circul...
Brass
Large Pair Of French Empire Ormolu Campagna Form Urns
Located in Essex, MA
Impressive size with their original oxidized patina that I have left uncleaned. Handles with rams heads. The plinth decorated with wreaths and musical lyre.
Bronze, Ormolu
Jacob-Desmalter Style Antique French Empire Mahogany Twin Beds, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of antique French Empire twin beds In the manner of Jacob-Desmalter France, Late 19th Century Carved mahogany, with mounted gilt br...
Bronze
$11,250Sale Price|25% Off
Large French Bureau Plat/Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
Large French Bureau Plat / Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, Empire / Napoleon III, French Empire / Napoleon III Bureau de Ministre (Bureau Plat) in Mahogany wi...
Bronze
Transforming Table by Martin-Guillaume Biennais, Consulat Period, France circa 1
Located in New York, NY
Transformation table, on high square pointed legs with brass sabots and curved table top including intermediate shelf with gilded gallery rail. The middle part of the table top can b...
Brass
Empire Secretary in Mahogany Veneer, France, Circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...
Mahogany
$10,180Sale Price / set|35% Off
Large Set of 25 Antique Baccarat Tumbler glasses from Sainte Anne, Voneche 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 33 piece set of 1st Empire Cut-Glass Tumbler glasses from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1810 circa. Similar pieces are in fundus of the Louvre collection. "Gobele...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Glass, Oak
French Empire Brass Bouillotte Table Lamp with Green Shade, Three Arms
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) brass 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green shade. Arrow finial is missing
Brass
Antique Swedish Desk from the Empire Period, Decorated Drawer and Rustic Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish empire desk made by hand in solid pine. The desk is from the empire period in northern Sweden around 1850. Straight tapered legs and a functional extendable drawer. H...
Pine
Small Round Vintage Baker Pedestal Table In Gold Trompe L'oeil
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This rare Baker round gold pedestal end table features Napoleon style bronze hardware throughout. This accent table would be great next to a chair in any...
Bronze
20th Century Wood with Onyx Top French Empire Style Dressing Table, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French dressing table from the first half of the 20th century. Carved and veneered mahogany in the Empire style. Console richly adorned with gilded and chiseled bronze and brass. Dre...
Onyx
Circa 1805-1815 Empire Period French Marble Top Commode
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Empire period French marble top commode, circa 1805-1815. Beautifully figured mahogany with fine acanthus leaf bronze mounts on the pillar & scroll pilasters. Note the whorled leaf m...
Marble, Bronze
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, and orig...
Brass
$960Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Curule Stool, Beech Wood, Upholstered Seat, France
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant 19th-century Empire-style curule stool standing on veneered, curved X legs linked by a turned baluster-shaped stretcher and terminating in lion's paws. The padde...
Beech
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style brass and crystal glass basket chandelier. Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has an or...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Tapestry With Birds 7X5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Wool, Cotton
Napoleonic Gilt-Bronze Portrait Medallion Napoleon, by Carlier Fecit, 1804-1806
By Carlier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleonic Gilt-Bronze Portrait Medallion of Napoleon, Signed Carlier Fecit, France, circa 1804–1806 An Empire-period gilt-bronze portrait medallion of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Bronze
Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood and Brass Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched burled olive wood, with inlaid walnut banding, and brass accents. ...
Brass
Antique French Marble & Gilded Brass Candelabras circa 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exquisite pair of antique French candelabras are masterfully crafted from white marble and ornate gilded brass. Each candelabra features three gracefully arched arms adorned wit...
Marble, Brass
Empire Chest of Drawers, Cuban Mahogany, Bronze Hardware, France, 1800
Located in Austin, TX
Empire period chest of drawers from France featuring a striking Cuban mahogany burled veneer. This piece has three drawers, all with original gilt bronze hardware and pulls. There ar...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze "Bouillotte" Table Lamp with Swans Motifs, France 20th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A refined French Empire-style bouillotte lamp crafted in gilt bronze, distinguished by its elegant swan-form candle arms and richly engraved decorative details. Inspired by the neocl...
Bronze
$2,413Sale Price|58% Off
Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Introducing this elegant Italian desk dating back to the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Empire style. Featuring a linear design with black ebonized column ...
Bronze
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame A distinguished French Empire bronze relief plaque depicting Napoleon I crowned with the classical laurel wreat...
Bronze
French Country Provincial Biedermeier Cherry Marble Side Table Ice Bucket Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Country Provincial Biedermeier Style Cherry Wood Marble Side Table w/ ...
Marble
French Early 20th Century Empire Brass and Bronze Table Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An early 20th-century French Empire-style brazier, which was used as a portable heater burning hot coals or other fuel for interior warmth. This example was converted to a table lamp...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
French Empire bronze Napoleon bust - early 19th century
By Chaudet
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Nineteenth century French Empire patinated bronze bust depicting Napoleon featured as Hermes. The base is labeled "Napoleon". After the 1804 model by Antoine-Denise Chaudet, Empire p...
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Sideboard
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Superb French Empire Sideboard is made of flamed mahogany with a black marble top. It has bronze ring around the columns.
Marble
19th Century Large Crotch Mahogany Octagonal Empire Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very large impressive American Crotch mahogany octagonal bevelled mirror. Original mirror Empire style
Mirror, Mahogany
Antique French Secretary, Circa 1820, Polished Ebony & Birchwood
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Ebony, in good condition. The b...
Metal, Bronze, Brass
Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Empire benches crafted in mahogany. The high, architecturally designed sides feature string inlay in satinwood, topped with an ebonized panel and mounted with gilt bronze orn...
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and iron pendant with six candle arms. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bronze, Iron
$2,133Sale Price / item|20% Off
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 an...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$6,899Sale 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
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Candelabra Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19thC French Empire style candelabra converted into a lamp and featuring a finely chased patinated bronze statue of Nike or Winged Victory holding aloft five gilt bronze ca...
Marble, Bronze
Grand French Empire Style Bronze Mahogany Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent French mahogany bibliotheque style bookcase cabinet crafted in the Napoleonic French empire taste. Constructed on a grand scale the cabinet features three pairs of storage do...
Bronze
19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840. The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border. The qua...
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century burr walnut pedestal cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century burr walnut pedestal cupboard circa 1870 We are pleased to offer this stunning pedestal cupboard which are becoming increasingly rare to find, made in burr walnut with ...
Ebony, Walnut
Baccarat Harcourt 48 Piece Set, Water, Red Wine, White Wine, Champagne Glasses
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Estate Baccarat Harcourt 48 piece set, 12 water, 12 red wine, 12 white wine, 12 champagne coupe glasses France, 20th Century Each piece has been examined and is in excellent conditio...
Crystal
$31,200Sale Price|60% Off
Monumental 19th Century French Empire Style “Lit Bateau” Bed in Carved Wood
Located in Porto, PT
An exceptional and highly impressive monumental 19th century “lit bateau” bed, executed in the grand tradition of the Empire and Neoclassical styles, and distinguished by its extraor...
Textile, Silk, Wood
$15,488Sale Price|25% Off
French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à battant - Jean-Francois Dubut Elaborately crafted bureau à battant, Paris circa 1760, Transition, Jean-Francois Dubut rosewood, amaranth, violet and ebony veneered on o...
Marble
Mahogany Empire Bow Front Corner Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish empire bow fronted corner cabinet in flame mahogany. Bow front with a single door, dressed with brass lock in the middle, flanked by f...
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21" H (to finial) x 15" H (to light socket) x 10" W x 10" D. {3-...
Brass
$8,121Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Beech Bergeres, New Upholstered
Located in Darmstadt, DE
An elegant pair of Empire/Biedermeier bergères crafted from solid beech wood in the early 19th century. Both chairs have been fully restored, hand-polished, and newly upholstered wit...
Beech
Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in London, GB
A good sized Gilt Empire antique mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame, lambs tongue design inner slip. Mirror in good condition. Original boarded bac...
Mirror
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Upholstery, Wood