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.
Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 7.7X6.55
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
Pair 20th Century Empire Patinated and Green Marble Urn Form 7-Light Candelabra
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of 20th Century Empire Style Patinated and Green Marble Urn Form Seven-Light Candelabra. Each candelabrum has seven candle holders.They are made of patinated bronze and green...
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Gilded Bronze Candle Holders, Empire Style, Circa 1790
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders made of hand crafted matted and polished burnt gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed sticks is composed with a face mascarons, a crowned man and woman, carrying a mug with flowers, loose cuffs supported by a round plinth, standing on square base. The Parisian décor...
Metal, Bronze
Throw Pillow Made from 17th Century Brussels Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17" x 12", authentic 17th century European piece, good condition
Wool
Pair of Stunning Russian Empire Period Ormolu Wall Sconces , ca. 1820s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A stunning pair of Russian empire period ormolu wall candelabras , ca. 1800s-1830s.
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze & Marble Statue Clock of Homer by Ravrio 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very Fine antique French Empire gilt bronze statue clock, depicting Homer in the Ruins of Troy, by André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814), circa 1810. This e...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 7.7X6.5
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
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A superb pair of French Empire candlesticks, finely cast and richly adorned in mercury-gilt bronze, dating to the 1820s. Thes...
Bronze
Vintage Floral Tapestry in Red & Tan 8.1X3.1
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
19th Century French Empire Walnut Fall-Front Secretaire
Located in Southampton, NY
Grey marble top above a single long drawer, two columns with gilded detailing on either side of fall-front desk enclosing six small drawers surrounding one larger drawer and original...
Leather, Walnut, Giltwood
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Gold, Brass
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century
Wool, Cotton
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode with four dovetailed drawers. Made of burl of walnut veneer with oak and pine as secondary woods. Working locks with ...
Walnut
French Empire Burlwood Chair
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th Century French Empire burl wood chair featuring stylized ormolu to include swans, lyre, acanthus and ribbons with lion's paw sabots. Seat newly...
Ormolu
An Outstanding 1950's Italian Cross Sword and Gilt Rope Tassel Wall Light
Located in Hastings, GB
An extremely rare and incredibly ornate Italian wall light, dating to the 1950's, in the empire style and modeled as a pair of crossed swords, in gilt and silver gilt, decorated with...
Metal
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s A refined pair of French candlesticks from the 1820s, crafted in gilt bronze and richly decorated in the classic ...
Bronze
19th Century Paris Porcelain Toiletry Bottle with Stopper
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This pretty little 'flacon' bottle, complete with its original stopper, is made from delicate white 'Porcelaine de Paris' and dates from the early 19th century. Both bottle and stop...
Porcelain
19th Century Pair Cobalt Blue Glass Gilt Salt Pepper Cellars
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Denmark, we see this pair of cobalt blue salt cellars atop a formal or informal table or kitchen counter. Unbeatable wear and patina to the bases. Each side as well as th...
Gold Leaf
Monumental Antique French Empire Period Hall Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent over 200 year old French Empire Period (1804-1815) parcel gilt walnut armorial hall pedestal / plant stand. Born in France in the early 19th century, most likely near the Italian border or Napoleonic territory in present day Northern Italy, most impressive palatial scale, exceptionally executed one-of-a-kind sculptural work, having carved fiolate apron with H monogram, decorative scroll work, stylized grotesque satyr mask with acanthus leaf accent, over high relief crest mural crown depicting four towers representing fortified city walls, shield escutcheon coat of arms with three fleur-de-lis above wavy lines depicting sea water in front of castle tower, supported by figural winged female caryatid, flanked by volute supports, joined by turned stretcher. circa 1810 Provenance / Acquisition: An important San Antonio estate Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Texas Mansion Carved French and Italian Antiques catalog...
Walnut
Anthony Querville Drop Leaf Mahogany Table w/Acanthus Leaf Carving Circa 1845
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exquisitely crafted mahogany drop leaf table attributed to renowned cabinetmaker Anthony Querville, circa 1845. Features the distinctive proportions and refined joinery characteristi...
Mahogany
Italian Empire Blue Glass Beads Crystal Prisms Tole Chandelier, c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Metal body with swags of rare blue glass...
Crystal
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass Candlesticks, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of antique French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks from ca. 1890. A beautiful and compact-sized pair of French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks with removable bobeches (...
Brass
Pair French Empire Bronze and Marble Campana Form Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of Classical style urns are finely cast featuring acanthus leaves, mask form handles, and laurel leaf wreaths on Sienna marble plinth form bases.
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Portico Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant white marble portico clock with gilt bronze appliques dates to the French Empire period, circa 1830. The floral-and-foliate ormolu-mounted frieze sits above four Doric c...
Marble, Bronze
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
$3,593Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Warm Brown Curved Commode in Solid Elm
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant four-drawer commode was made in the Netherlands circa 1860. It was made in solid elm with a pine interior. The commode has a convex-concave curved front. The piece has a two-plank top with a bullnose edge. Below four drawers are situated. Each drawer is equipped with two brass drawer pulls, a keyplate, and a lock. The brass pulls and keyplate is typical Dutch azure cut...
Brass
A fine 19th century Carrera marble bust of Napoleon by Antonio Piazza
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Italian Carrera marble hand carved marble bust of Napoleon . Signed Antonio Piazza
Carrara Marble
Zabihi Collection White Blue Antique Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese Peking rug with a spacious open field design on a creamy yellow field and pretty blue accents featuring a dragon inside a central medallion . Measures: 6'2'' x 8'8'' Chinese dragons...
Wool
$7,200
Empire Style Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century French Empire-style chandelier with gilt and painted finish. Measurements: Diameter: 18" Height: 26.5".
Bronze
Dutch 18th Century Painted Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Dutch trumeau is a fantastic find, crafted during the 1790’s, it retains its original mercury mirror plate within a perfectly worn, amber-tone paint...
Glass, Mercury Glass, Mirror, Paint
French Bronze Bows Crystal Prisms Empire Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light each. Will be rewired with certified US UL sockets for the United States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Bronze detail bows with ...
Crystal, Bronze
A large pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
$1,430Sale Price|35% Off
French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell. This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Bronze
4 Framed Antique French Empire Style Lithograph Prints of Napoleon's Coronation
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions (Per Frame) - H: 22 3/4 in W: 30 1/4 in D: 1 3/4 in Dimensions (Art Per Piece) - H: 14 1/4 in W: 21 3/4 in Presenting a striking set of four Antique French Empire Style...
Wood, Paper
Empire Style Rectangular Mirror in Beige and Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style mirror, France, 1930s. Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornament...
Gold Leaf
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest /box from Skelleftea Vasterbotten ,Northern Sweden. Decorative Wood imitaition painted small chest /box with...
Pine
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 7.2X5.4
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
Side Chair by Friedrich Rambach, master carpenter, Stockholm active 1834-1861.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique Empire lounge chair with brass detail on neckrest. By master carpenter Friedrich Rambach, active in Stockholm, Sweden between 1834-1861. Beautiful "Emma" chair like style wi...
Brass
19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of hand crafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Eac...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Elegante ausdrucksstarke frühe Biedermeier Kommode mit Geheimschublade, 1810
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Hessian Biedermeier chest of drawers, circa 1810. Walnut veneer on an oak carcass. The three-drawer body is flanked by ebonized half-columns with gilded bases and capitals. Raised on...
Oak, Walnut
Restored Waldorf Astoria Empire Crystal 3 Tier Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Original Empire style chandelier made of an ornate bronze, brushed steel frame, beaded and teardrop crystals. Hung from a heavy brass chain. Three tiers of lights with frosted glass ...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
19thc French Empire Gilt & Patinated Bronze Table Lamp / Candelabra
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire Gilt & Patinated Bronze Tall Table Lamp/ Candelabra Featuring Medusa. Originally for 5 candles now a stunning Table Lamp electrified for 2 bulbs. Intricate Neocla...
Bronze
Italian Completely Beaded Basket Crystal Prisms Silver Chandelier, c 1940
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing four lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning crystal prisms on top and in bottom. This chandelier has two width...
Crystal
French 19th Century Large Tole Candelabra
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This generously scaled five-arm candelabra has gained a wonderful patina since its creation during the 1890’s in France. A single arm is raised above the rest while four scrolling ar...
Tôle, Metal
Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa
Located in Barntrup, DE
A splendid Empire-style sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s. Gilt brass frame adorned with crystal glass beads and prisms, three interior lights for E14 size light bulbs. Dimensions: Hei...
Crystal, Brass
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Ewers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (19th century) French bronze ewers in the Empire period manner of Andre Antoine Ravio (1759-1814), with urn forms with green patinas, decorated with gilt lotus flower...
Bronze
Pair Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps with adjustable height harpers. Measures: 9.5" in width, 6" ...
Crystal, Rock Crystal
French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany roll top desk with bronze trim.
Bronze
pair oval off white "craquelee" night stands with golden elements Emipre stile
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
pair oval off white "craquelee" night stands with golden elements Emipre stile
Wood
$590Sale Price|24% Off
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Mahogany fram mirror with the original glass with gilt decoration.
Mahogany
Set of Eight French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite set of eight French Empire style gilt bronze figural neoclassical wall sconces. Each sconce is structured with a central backplate featuring a prominent male mask, model...
Bronze
$1,720Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Marble-Top Giltwood Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
Empire style marble-top giltwood plant stand, having square top over four carved foliate columns, rising on marble base, ending in paw feet.
Marble
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Stunning three-piece mantel clock set in Siena marble and bronze, French Empire period. The main piece at center features a cast bronze hound sitting uneasily upon the plinth. Roman ...
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Biedermeier or Empire Demi Lune Console with Mirror
Located in Greven, DE
Antique demi-lune console with pillar mirror North Germany Mahogany Biedermeier/Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 234 x 88 x 51 cm single height console: 78 cm, sing...
Bronze
$5,430
Writing table
Located in London, England
French mahogany Empire style writing table with replaced black inset hide leather writing surface, fantastic quality. Circa 1890.
Mahogany
An Italian Gold Gilt Empire Pier Mirror
Located in London, GB
A giltwood and hand painted pier mirror from the Italian Empire period. Decorated with lion masks on the corners and foliate inner and outer edging. The frame hand painted, with wond...
Giltwood
Swedish Backgammon in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Empire 1820/30s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Backgammom Box in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Swedish Empire (Karl Johan) 1820/30s. Complete with two Die made in bone and Playing Pieces for two players. This beautifully crafted backgammon box...
Brass
19th Century Ormolu and Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century directoire bouillotte table lamp. Lamp features original elements and original black tole lampshade with gilt brass leaf applied detailing. Newly rewired with side ...
Bronze, Tôle, Brass
Antique Empire Painted Globe Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
An antique Empire style brass lamp with a hand painted glass globe. A slender central column topped with an urn finial has two sockets that light with brass chain pulls. A blush and ...
Brass
Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug 5'7'' x 4'5'' , handmade and hand-knotted, empire traditional style
Wool