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.
Antique French empire fireplace screen, late 19 century
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Antique French empire fireplace screen, made of wood, faux bamboo, second Empire period, France, 2nd half of the 19th century It is in empire black color with touches of gold on the ...
Brass
$2,100 / set
Pair of Antique Brass Empire Style Andirons
Located in Sheffield, MA
Classic pair of Empire style antique brass andirons with aged patina. Wonderfully handsome, will add style and character to any fireplace. OAL ...
Brass
T. Boone Pickens 19th Century French Empire Period Fire Fender
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and important period French Empire dore bronze mounted iron fire fender, with rich provenance, adding character and historic depth, it's from the home of iconic American busin...
Bronze, Iron, Ormolu
$273Sale Price|30% Off
Danish Antique Brass Fireplace Neptune Toasting-fork
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Neptune shared brass fireplace toasting-fork tool.
Brass
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender
Located in IT
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender Initials "B.d." on the back Dimensions: W 112 x H 26 x D 7. Maximum W 128 cm This refined fireplace fender was made in France in th...
Bronze
Antique Early French 19th Century Empire style Firescreen
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique - Decoration - 19th Measures : 65x42cm H:111cm Large solid wood fireplace screen, Empire period Gilt-painted ornamentation Original tapestry Lion-paw feet. Empire style craf...
Tapestry, Wood
Dutch Fireplace Scuttle Bucket Delft Handle
Located in New York, NY
A small Dutch copper and brass fireplace scuttle bucket with lion head design and blue and white Delft dandle, circa early, 20th century, Holland. Handle is adjustable up/down/side t...
Brass, Copper
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Brass
Pair of Antique Empire Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons
Located in Esbeek, NL
A pair of antique Empire fireplace andirons, made of cast iron with Bronze colored decorative details. Each Andiron features a reclining sphinx, griffin ornaments, claw feet, and cla...
Cast Iron
Pair of French Bronze and Iron Firedogs, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of antique firedogs made of bronze and iron, France, early 20th Century. These marvelous firedogs or andirons feature bronze construction in baluster form, raised on paw feet,...
Bronze, Iron
Antique English Brass Fireplace Trivet Ottoman or Stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th-century brass English fireplace footman trivet. The footman is an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent p...
Brass
$12,500 / set
Beautiful Pair of 19th C French Empire Chenets
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze chenets with dolphin feet.
Bronze
$1,900 / set
Pair of Antique Brass Empire Style Andirons
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Classic pair of Empire style antique brass andirons with aged patina. Wonderfully handsome, will add style and character to any fireplace. OAL...
Brass, Iron
$2,650Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons with Lions, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
These andirons are made of bronze with lions lying face to face. This is a French Empire period pair of fireplace andirons, circa 1850.
Bronze
Early 19th Century Two Piece Set of Brass Fireplace Tools
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
These Danish fireplace tools makes a wonderful addition to any fireplace surround. This two piece set was found at a market down town Copenhagen, Denmark. This set can be used in any...
Brass, Bronze, Iron
$288Sale Price / set|27% Off
Set of Two 18th Century Brass and Iron Fireplace Tools
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two 18th century brass and iron fireplace tools.
Brass, Iron
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of bronze with flams and garlands. This is a French work from Empire period. Circa 1850.
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Andirons in Wrought Iron with Brass Finials
Located in Kastrup, DK
A charming pair of French Empire andirons crafted from wrought iron, featuring elegant brass finials on the front tops. These fireplace supports are presented in their original, unto...
Brass, Iron
A Pair of Large French 18th century Brass Chenets
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large French 18th century Brass Chenets This is a VeryAttractive pair of French Chenets, the ultimate in Chateau Chic They are sculptured on brass in the shape of classi...
Brass
$4,475 / set
H 17 in W 4 in D 19.25 in
Pair of Custom Modernist Brushed Brass Cylindrical Andirons by High Style Deco
Located in New York, NY
These stunning pair of custom andirons were designed and realized exclusively for High Style Deco. They feature brushed brass cylindrical form bodies with black enamel supports. Hand...
Enamel, Brass
Antique French Copper Log Holder, Early 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
A socalled 'ferrat' from Auvergne, France. Old copper container reinforced with a frame and adorned with copper bands with which the women went to fetch water. They wore it either on...
Brass, Copper
Vintage brass fireplace tools
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Vintage brass fireplace tools
Brass
$2,400 / set
H 26 in W 13 in D 15 in
Pair of Antique Renaissance Revival Brass Andirons, Late 19th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
These tall and well modelled fire dogs add a decorative accent in summer and a useful complement to your winter fires.
Brass, Iron
19th Century Adjustable French Gilt-Brass Fender
Located in Cheshire, GB
A 19th century French gilt-brass fender, the extending pierced gallery surmounted to each end with vase finials above serpentine bases. Dimensions Height 13 inches Width 27.5 inch...
Brass
English Brass Fireplace Fender
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare English brass fireplace fender in a twig or branch motif from the mid-19th century.
Brass
American 19th Century Brass Fender
Located in Southampton, NY
American 19th Century Brass Fender
Antique Victorian Brass Fireplace Fender/ Guard 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb Victorian brass fireplace fender/guard, circa 1860. The fender has a moulded fixed base with turned uprights and finials joined by a tubular internal rail. Add s...
Brass
19th Century Bronze Fireplace Screen in French Louis XV/ XVI Style
Located in New York, NY
Antique (19th century) gilt bronze fireplace screen in the French Louis XV / XVI style, featuring cherubs tending to a flame and frame with organic motifs including connected scrolls...
Bronze
$3,010
H 48 in W 26 in D 18 in
Large Antique 19th Century Hand-Carved Black Forest Firescreen with Birds Nest
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautifully crafted screen with the original beveled mirror. For the collectors of top quality Black Forest home accessories we also have this stunning and one of a kind fire-place screen. The incredibly detailed frame consisting of very realistic branches and leafs is an absolute joy to own and look at. The deeper meaning of this work of Black Forest craftsmanship, we think, can be found in the birds nest in the centre of the top. There the little bird is creating a warm home too for the three offspring she is expecting (hence the three eggs...
Mirror, Walnut
French Directoire Style Fireplace Screen
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Directoire style dark grey iron paneled fireplace screen with X frame panels centered with gold rosettes and raised on paw feet. Dimensions 38" W x 9" D x 30" H.
Iron
19th Century Pierced Brass Victorian Fire Fender
Located in North Salem, NY
19th Century Victorian Pierced Brass Fire Fender with Turned Feet From England.
Brass
Sold
H 33.5 in W 10.5 in D 9 in
Mid-Century French Brass and Marble Five-Piece Fireplace Tool Set with Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a hearth with this elegant antique fireplace companion set. Crafted in France circa 1950, the Mid-Century ensemble is made of solid brass and stands on an oval marble base f...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 10 in D 8 in
Mid-Century French Empire Brass and Marble Fireplace Five-Tool Set on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel for a refined and functional accent. Crafted in France circa 1970, this Empire-style “serviteur” features a polished...
Marble, Brass
Mid-Century Empire Style Bronze Fireplace Four-Piece Tool Set on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Crafted circa 1980, the "Serviteur" sits on an intricate circular bottom base decorated with a bronze gallery aroun...
Bronze
Empire Mahogany And Gilt Bronze Fireplace Screen
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large Empire period fireplace screen in Mahogany and gilded bronze. Front of the screen covered with a tapestry with small dots showing a flower vase, at the back an old silk with ...
Bronze
Vintage Three Piece Set of Brass Fireplace Tools
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Shiny and bright, this set of 3 fireplace tools makes a wonderful addition to any fireplace surround. This set includes a broom, poker and grabber. The sturdy brass base, powder coat...
Brass
Sold
H 12.25 in W 46 in D 4 in
Period French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
The era of history known as the Empire period coincided with the reign of Napoleon over France. It was considered the second phase of Neoclassicism, as Napoleon believed that his onl...
Metal, Bronze, Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 10.75 in D 7.75 in
Mid-Century Empire Style Bronze and Iron Fireplace Four-Piece Tool Set on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Crafted circa 1980, the "Serviteur" sits on an intricate iron bottom base decorated with a bronze gallery around th...
Bronze, Iron
French Napoleon III Period 'Cupid' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Empire fireback with a cupid. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. It is in a good condit...
Iron
Sold
H 13.39 in W 14.57 in D 13.39 in
Baroque Style Great Brass Andirons With Iron Stands, France, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Pair of chased brass and cast iron baroque style mantelpieces from France, circa 1950s. The ball-shaped uprights with fleurons enhance the fleur-de-lys patterned legs. These elegan...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 28.5 in W 7 in D 10 in
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Fireplace Tools Hearthware Regency Trophy
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage French Empire style brass fireplace tools. Includes a poker, shovel and brush. Neatly designed with trophy finials for handles.
Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in W 13 in D 3.94 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Lioness Figures Andirons or Chenets
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century French Empire gilt bronze lioness figures andirons or chenets Two figures of lionesses facing each other made of patined bronze lying on rectangular gilt-bronze...
Bronze
Brass Fireplace Screen with Finial Detail
Located in New York, NY
A brass frame fireplace screen with handles and finial details, circa late-20th century. Screen is a trifold with brass frame, black mesh metal screen...
Brass, Metal