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.
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
$12,400Sale Price|29% Off
Pair of Period Empire Mahogany and Gilt Chest of Drawers, Denmark, circa 1800
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish late 18th Century pair of period empire chest of drawers. This rare pair was recently found here in the USA, which makes them very attractive because of the new UN/US import restriction of rare and protected wood sorts. More to the point, it is highly unlikely to locate a pair of chests...
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Nightstand End Table
Located in Forney, TX
A period French Empire (1804-1815) mahogany chest of drawers nightstand with beautifully aged patina. Born in France in the early 19th century, hand-crafted of warm rich solid mahog...
Belgian Black Marble
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A French Empire style marble-top mahogany bedside cabinet (nightstand - end table) with elegant beautifully aged warm rustic patina. circa 1870 Hand-crafted in France in the secon...
Marble, Brass
19th C. Balkans Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Nightstand Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A fine and rare antique Balkans Empire style gilt bronze mounted mahogany marble-top bedside cabinet. circa 1830 Balkan Peninsula, first half of the 19...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
French Empire Nightstand or Side Table with Marble Top and Ormolu Mounts
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful mahogany French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany side cabinet, nightstand or side table with two interior shelves and a frieze drawer with black marble top. From Paris, Franc...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Wood Nightstands, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful pair of 1930s empire style mahogany nightstands. They are shaped like a half moon and two legs give elegance and typical style of their time. They also have a central dra...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table with Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of mahogany wood, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columnar supports embellished with decorative bronze mounted rings at the...
Marble
19th Cent Ebony Empire Commode or Nightstand, Refinished, Bronze Mounted
Located in Stamford, CT
19th Century, Hollywood Regecny Style Commode, Chest or Nightstand. Bronze Mounted Empire Commode or Nightstand, Refinished in a fine ebony finish to suite the Hollywood Regency Decor of any home. 19th century Empire commode or nightstand. This fine commodes...
Marble
STUNNING PAIR FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE GOLD DETAILED BURR WALNUT BEDSIDES NiGHTSTANDS
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Pair Of French Empire-style bedside Nightstands. They exude opulence and sophistication. Crafted from beautif...
Walnut
Pair of Empire Style Side Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of Empire style polished mahogany and rosewood side tables, serpentine tops on four legged bases with carved and gilded caryotid legs and with ormolu mounts
Pair of Italian Empire-style bedside tables, 1950s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Pair of Italian Empire-style bedside tables, 1950s
Marble, Bronze
Romweber Empire Mahogany, Burl Wood, and Brass Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Empire or Neoclassical style nightstands By Romweber USA, circa 1940s Mahogany cases, with gorgeous book...
Brass
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
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 22" H x 27.5" W x 17" D.
Wood
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Side Tables, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style two-tier end tables or nightstands By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Carved cherry wood, with burl wood banding and satinwood string...
Cherry, Satinwood, Burl
19th Century Italian Empire Period Walnut Night Stand
Located in Prato, IT
Veneered in walnut, three drawers with black columns with caryatid head and pure gold base. Four ebonized turned legs. Coeval Carrara marble top. Very good condition.
Carrara Marble
9th Century Mahogany French Empire Bronze Mounted End Table Nightstand
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Mahogany French Empire Bronze Mounted End Table Nightstand Dimensions : 43.25" Tall X 12.25" Wide X 16.25" Deep This nightstand was made in France in the 19th century ...
Mahogany
Elegant octagonal empire column bedside table
Located in Cesena, FC
Elegant empire column nightstand, octagonal. Origin: emiliana (Bologna) Empire-era (early 1800s) Entirely veneered in poplar burl with a special stain that enhances the intricate gr...
Poplar
Pair of French Empire Style Walnut Night Tables, Late 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of French Empire Style Walnut Night Tables is a design furniture item realized in 19th century A beautiful vintage night tables to be collect.
Wood
Empire Nightstands, Walnut, Full Columns, Gold-Leaf, Brass, Italy, circa 1810
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful, neoclassical and greatly restored Pair of Venetian Empire Nightstands, bedside tables or pillar cabinets from northern Italy, circa 1810. Walnut, veneered on softwood and ...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Mahogany Bedside Table with Marble Top, Circa 1810
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classically inspired French Empire marble topped mahogany bedside table which the french call sono. fThe round column shaped table has a black marble top with a recently applied ge...
Marble, Breccia Marble
$8,500
Empire Burl Wood Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful burl wood set against ebonized legs and trim. Desk has a single compartmentalized drawer with key and elegantly curved legs.
Burl
Empire Style Marble-Top Nightstand or Console
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Empire style marble-top nightstand or console. One drawer and lower ledge, gilt bronze details and neoclassical columns.
Siena Marble, Bronze
$3,606
H 67.72 in W 47.64 in D 20.87 in
Antique French Empire Mahogany & Gilt Metal Mounted Cabinet on Chest circa 1800
Located in Suffolk, GB
This antique French Empire mahogany and gilt metal mounted antique cabinet on chest has an upper tier with two doors fitted boasting attractive gilt metal mounts. The bottom chest ha...
Mahogany
$7,200 / set
H 29 in W 16.25 in D 12.25 in
Pair of French 19th Century Mahogany Tray Top Bedside Tables with Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French mahogany bedside tables from the 19th century with tray tops, two drawers each, discreet banding, lower shelves and ebon...
Brass
$2,200 / set
H 26.25 in W 16 in D 13 in
Pair 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Serpentine Nightstands.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Serpentine Nightstands. These beautiful. petite 19th century mahogany nightstands have a ...
Mahogany
$2,500
H 32 in W 16.25 in D 14 in
19th Century Louis XV Style Marquetry Side Table in Walnut & Mahogany
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Louis XV style two-drawer side table, or nightstand with inlaid marquetry veneers of walnut and mahogany. Cast bronze hardware. Nice proportions with curved cor...
Bronze
Pair of Federal Style Mahogany Bedside Chests
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and figured mahogany nightstand, the reeded edge bowfront top with protruding corners with leaf carved and reeded uprights, with three graduated drawers with verdigris bra...
Wood
$2,750 / set
H 21.07 in W 19.1 in D 14.57 in
20th Century Pair of Solid Carved French Nightstands with Low Drawer
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Pair of solid carved Spanish nightstands with one low carved drawer with original bronze pull.
Walnut
Petit Danish Late Empire Antique Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small 19th century Danish Late Empire chest of drawers in flamed birch. French polished. The façade showcases an arrangement of four drawers (a smaller drawer over 3 larger drawers)...
Beech
$4,895 / set
H 25.75 in W 16.5 in D 11.5 in
Pair of French Cherrywood Nightstands or Bedside Tables with Marble Tops
Located in Austin, TX
A fine pair of French bedside end tables or night stands - each stand featuring a figured marble-top over a frieze with two inlaid drawers with original brass pulls. Superb origina...
Marble, Brass
19th Century English Mahogany Pot Cupboard Bedside Commode Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fluted mahogany bedside table commode with inset marble top and one shelf. Excellent original condition, and original finish. England, m...
Marble
John Stuart Chrome and Lacquered Chest of Drawers
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1970s three drawer chest of drawers retailed by John Stuart in the style of Milo Baughman. Three drawers with chrome hardware float above the floor in a parsons form lacquere...
Chrome
$1,495
H 30.75 in W 18.5 in D 17.75 in
19th Century American Empire Mahogany Rolling Bedside Cabinet w/ Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century American Empire Mahogany Rolling Bedside Cabinet with protecyive Glass Top and functional lock and key. Measures 18.5" in width, 17 75" in depth and 30.5" in height. ...
Mahogany
$12,450
H 44 in W 78 in D 55.5 in
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany & Gilt-Bronze Mounted Campaign Day Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt-Bronze Mounted "Lit en Bateau" Officer's Campaign Bed. The "Boat Shaped" frame, surmoun...
Bronze
19th Century Italian Walnut Bedside Tables Pair
Located in Carmine, TX
Pair of empire bedside tables / nightstands hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s and decorated with walnut book-matched veneer. The tables are small in size and, therefore, perfect ...
Brass
Sold
H 25 in W 25 in D 18 in
Baker Furniture French Empire Green Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style nightstands or end tables By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Green lacquered cherry wood, with original brass hardware and accents. Each m...
Brass
Sold
H 35.44 in W 20.48 in D 15.95 in
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Walnut Nightstand or Bedside Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this refined antique Italian bedside table dating back to the early 19th century and made of walnut. This bedside table features typical features of the Empire period. It...
Walnut
Sold
H 22.45 in W 24.81 in D 13.59 in
Italian mahogany and worked glass bedside tables with brass friezes, 1950s
Located in Premariacco, IT
Pair of 1950s bedside tables upholstered in mahogany with ebony profiles and machined brass details. On the main top they have a distinctive molded and decorated glass top, note the...
Brass
Empire Nightstands in Walnut Early 19th Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of bedside tables from the Empire period, in walnut flamed striped walnut, have a small under-top drawer on the front, a door, and a deeper drawer below. Plinth feet support on ...
Marble
Sold
H 31 in W 31 in D 19 in
19th Century French Empire Polished Ebony Nightstand - Single Antique Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Empire nightstand, bed side table made of hand crafted shellac polished Ebony, in good condition. The si...
Metal
Antique American Empire Mahogany Washstand Nightstand Bedside Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Mahogany Washstand Nightstand One Drawer Bedside Table. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 37.5" H x 19" W x 16.5" D x 30" H Top Surface.
Mahogany
Pair of Brown Oak Empire Nightstands
Located in Westwood, NJ
A piece that seamlessly blends classic design with refined craftsmanship. The table's symmetrical lines are complemented by the warm oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspir...
Wood
Pair of White Oak Empire Nightstands
Located in Westwood, NJ
A piece that seamlessly blends classic design with refined craftsmanship. The table's symmetrical lines are complemented by the white oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspi...
Wood
French 19th Century Empire Bedside Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome mahogany French Empire bedside table from the 19th century. This stunning bedside has a beautiful top, made of St. Anne marble, ...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 18 in D 15 in
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table with Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1850 and built of mahogany, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columns ending with bun feet and embellished with decorative bronze mounted ri...
Marble
Sold
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 13.75 in
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1850, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columns ending with bun feet and embellished with decorative brass mounts at the shoulder and the b...
Marble, Brass