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.
1920s Antique Indian Agra Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Wool, Cotton
Mid-19th Century Indian Amritzar Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Amritsar Rugs – The spectacular rugs of Amritsar capture the exotic style of India while incorporating a subtle colonial influence. This convergence of eastern and western st...
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 16'2'' X 12'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Wool, Cotton
Antique Botanical Indian Amritsar Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Amritsar Rugs – The spectacular rugs of Amritsar capture the exotic style of India while incorporating a subtle colonial influence. This convergence of eastern and western styles results in an exceptionally alluring appearance that has been beloved by western consumers historically and today. The outstanding old Amritsar carpets were created by influential exporters to fuel the demand for exotic rugs...
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Indian Amritsar Rug - 10'6'' X 7'9''
Located in Los Angeles, US
During the period of Colonial rule over India, Amritsar rugs began to reflect Western influences in their design. The craftspeople of Northern India took their chance to profit from ...
Wool, Cotton
Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug-8'8'' X 5'8''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an antique Khotan Samarkand Rug with birds designs on a red background.
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 14'8'' X 12'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Wool, Cotton
Modern Turkish Oushak Rug 2'11" x 9'2"
Located in Los Angeles, US
This modern Turkish Oushak rug is a stunning piece of art that has been handwoven using traditional techniques by skilled artisans. The rug features intricate patterns and a soft col...
Wool
Antique Indian Agra Rug - 11'4'' X 9'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Indian Agra Rug - 12'5'' X 11'10''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug-2'5'' X 4'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an Antique Khotan Samarkand Small Rug
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Samarkand Rug-4'5" X 2'8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an antique Samakhand rug. This is an Uzbek tribal design rug with a lighter pink throughout the rug.
Wool, Cotton
Antique Caucasian Lenkoran Wool Runner-9'6'' X 3'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Caucasian Lenkoran Woolen Runner
Wool, Cotton
Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug-9'9'' X 5'5''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an antique Khotan Samarkand Rug, circa 1900s.
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Samarkand Rug-4'7'' X 2'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up For Sale Is An Antique Samarkand Uzbek Tribal Rug
Wool, Cotton
Antique Oversize Indian Rug - 18'0'' X 12'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Wool, Cotton
1920’s Antique Swedish Flat Weave Killim Rug-9'6'' X 6'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique rugs that are called “Kilim rugs”, primarily refer to a type of flat weave rug that was produced without knotted pile. Because these antique rugs are found across the globe, each region has a different pronunciation and spelling of the name Kilim. Homers Iliad and Egyptian tomb paintings, from the same time period, depict weavers producing rugs and carpets of this kind. Since this is one of the oldest methods of rug production, it is considered to be primitive...
Wool
1900s Antique Indian Agra Rug - 12'0'' X 8'9''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Wool, Cotton
Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug-8'7'' X 4'10''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Circa 1900 Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug. This rug is a traditional style rug.
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Indian Amritsar Rug - 11'10'' X 9'6''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Amritsar Rugs – The spectacular rugs of Amritsar capture the exotic style of India while incorporating a subtle colonial influence. This convergence of eastern and western st...
Wool, Cotton
Turquoise Pink Antique Indian Amritsar Room Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning high decorative room size early 20th century antique Indian Amritsar rug from the early 20th century. Turquoise field, goldenrod, silver, and pink accents, circa 1900-191...
Wool
Antique Indian Agra Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
This beautiful antique Indian Agra hand-knotted design rug will make your floor look splendid. This collection is made in wool. It's measures are: 8'.4 x 11'.6 This antique Indian A...
Wool
$3,400
W 29 in L 158 in
1900s Yellow Traditional Mughal Antique Indian Agra Rug 2'5"x13'2" Carpet Runner
Located in New York, NY
If a pattern works for a border, it is equally suited for a runner. Here a complex, ragged palmette Meander is set on a khaki field. Antique narrow runner...
Wool
Late 19th Century Stylized Floral Beige Indian Agra Rug
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th Century Stylized Floral Beige Indian Agra Rug Made in India, circa 1890 A finely detailed, symmetrical design set on a soft ivory ground, filled with an intricate network ...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Green Antique Indian Amritsar Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century worn antique Indian Amritsar with a open pistachio field design surrounded by a pink and ivory border. 10'1'' x 13'3''
Wool
$3,000
W 48 in L 72 in
1900s Green Weeping Willow Peacock Antique Indian Agra Rug 4'0"x6'0" Carpet Wool
Located in New York, NY
Antique Indian Agra rug, size: 4'0" x 6'0". This circa 1900 antique Indian Agra rug is a spectacular example of the “Jail-Woven” or “Master-Workshop” tradition, representing the pin...
Wool
Antique Indian Agra Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from an early 20th Century Antique Indian Agra rug. zipper closure and polyfill insert provided Measures 19'' x 27''.
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Doris Leslie Blau Oversized Antique Indian Amritsar Rug
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Antique Indian Amritsar Rug Size: 15'2" × 16'3" (462 × 495 cm) This oversized antique Amritsar carpet, woven around 1900, is a remarkable testament to the refined artistry ...
Wool
Late 19th Century Indian Agra Carpet
Located in Chicago, IL
A late 19th century Indian Agra carpet with all-over tree pattern on an indigo background surrounded by a tree patterned border. Measures: 9'8" x 17'5". Keywords: Carpet, rug, ...
Wool
Antique Indian Agra Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Indian Agra carpet from the first quarter of the 20th century.
Wool
Antique Indian Amritsar Rug. 7 ft 10 in x 8 ft 10 in
Located in New York, NY
Antique Indian Amritsar Square Rug, Country of Origin: Indian Rugs, Circa date: 1900. Size: 7 ft 10 in x 8 ft 10 in (2.39 m x 2.69 m)
Wool
Antique Indian Amritsar Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Indian Amritsar carpet from the first quarter of the 20th century.
Wool