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.
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
Large Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This large antique late Empire corner cabinet exudes the grandeur and elegance characteristic of the 1840s. Crafted from rich mahogany, a prized wood choice for furniture of this era...
Mahogany
$1,488Sale Price|24% Off
Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet With Shelves Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Late Empire corner cabinet with mahogany shelves from the 1840s is an impressive piece of furniture history that exudes elegance and timeless beauty. The corner cabinet i...
Mahogany
Empire Corner Cabinet or Cupboard in West Indies Mahogany, circa 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
From the Baltic region, a very beautiful and unusual Empire corner cupboard in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with two stacked cabinet doors that are bowed, and are separated by a ...
Mahogany
Empire/ Biedermeier Corner Cabinet w/ Faux-Bois, Bremen, Germany, c. 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A rare and stately corner cupboard with the original faux-boix finish and hand-painted gold foliate and flower design around the recessed door panels and rounded sides, with a painte...
Pine
Pair of French 18th Century Corner Cabinets with Marble tops, JACOB Frères
By Jacob Frères
Located in Madrid, EX
A pair of French, Empire corner cabinets, 18th Century, by Jacob Frères, one of the most infuluential and successful furniture makers in France. Arched panel door and rounded legs ...
Marble
$3,488Sale Price|24% Off
H 76 in W 31 in D 17 in
Superb Antique English Marquetry Inlaid Art Nouveau Mahogany Corner Cabinet
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceptional antique English marquetry inlaid late 19th century Art Nouveau mahogany corner cabinet with wonderful stylized inlays of the Arts & Crafts / Art Nouveau period. Original ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$14,585 / set
H 35.63 in W 28.35 in D 17.72 in
Pair of French 18th Century Louis XVI Corner Cabinets with Flower Marquetry
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An exceptional pair of Louis XVI period corner cabinets or encoignures with elaborate marquetry work. Each cabinet opens with a front door, revealing two shelves, on bracket feet. Be...
Marble
$8,250
H 92 in W 38 in D 27.5 in
English Regency Corner Cabinet in Mahogany with Glass Door Panels, circa 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An English Regency corner cupboard in mahogany with pediment top, glazed and mullioned upper cabinet over paneled cabinet, and resting on bracket feet. England, circa 1820. Measures:...
Glass, Mahogany
$2,800
H 54.73 in W 31.7 in D 22.45 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Bow Front Corner Cabinet, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Bow Front Corner Cabinet, 1950s. Beautiful Mid-Century Modern corner cabinet in Rosewood with rounded front. Large compartment with three triangu...
Rosewood
Fine Quality Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cupboard
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine quality Edwardian inlaid mahogany corner cupboard having an elegant swan neck pediment with pierced fretwork and very desirable inlay decoration, ogee shaped cornice, single gla...
Mahogany
19th-C. French Corner Cabinet
Located in Ballard, CA
A single door painted French corner cabinet in the Louis XVI style. Made out of pine wood painted with light gray/blue and cream accents. Feature...
Iron
18th Century Dutch Mahogany Corner Cupboard
Located in Martlesham, GB
18th century Dutch mahogany corner cupboard with a moulded arched cornice, the top section having two paneled doors with shaped and moulded beading around the panels, opening to reveal three fixed shelves and a drop down flap at the bottom of the cupboard, the bottom section also having two paneled doors with shaped and moulded beading around the panels, opening to reveal a single fixed shelf inside, the corner cupboard...
Mahogany
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.51 in W 32.09 in D 22.25 in
Teak Mid-Century Modern Corner Cabinet or Cupboard, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Mid-Century Modern corner cabinet or cupboard. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Solid teak and teak veneer. Three original drawe...
Teak
$3,300
H 67.5 in W 31.75 in D 19.5 in
19th Century Chinoiserie Corner Cabinet in Black Lacquered Bamboo
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century Chinoiserie Bamboo Corner Cabinet Black Lacquered.
Bamboo
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Display Cabinet
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian inlaid mahogany corner display cabinet having a mahogany gallery top with satinwood inlay, single inlaid mahogany astragal glazed door opening to reveal two shelves standing on shaped spade legs...
Other
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Corner Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking late 18th-century Gustavian period corner cabinet from Sweden, featuring the classic neoclassical elegance of the era. Crafted in two parts, the cabinet showcases paneled ...
Pine
$3,495
H 73.75 in W 34.5 in D 20 in
Antique Austrian Figured Ash & Ebony Biedermeier Standing Corner Cabinet 1830
Located in Portland, OR
A very stylish antique Austrian Biedermeier figured Ash corner cabinet, circa 1830. The cabinet with an ebonized crown and a glazed door below with arched panels, the door enclosing three shelves and the interior having the original grey paint. To the middle is a second ebonized band of wood and a single paneled door enclosing a single shelf, the cabinet with a corresponding ebonized band to the base and is raised on stile feet. The cabinet is made from the most striking figured blond ash with highly variegated grain, both doors have inlaid lock escutcheons &3500 keys are present for the locks. Condition is a very good indeed, this very stylish antique Biedermeier corner cabinet...
Ebony, Ash
Sold
H 75 in W 34 in D 21 in
Antique Empire Corner Cupboard/ Cabinet in West Indies Mahogany, Denmark, c 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very handsome Empire corner cupboard in Fine West Indies mahogany whose beautiful figuring is highlighted by the expert book-matching throughout. Features a smaller cabinet with oc...
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Corner Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Allerum, SE
An unusual 19th century Empire vitrine corner cabinet, circa 1830, Denmark.
Wood
Edwardian Hand Painted Barrel Back Shelved Corner Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Edwardian Hand Painted Barrel Back Shelved Corner Cabinet This is a Charming and Very rare piece At the bottom there is a shelved cupboard, over this there is are prettily shaped s...
Wood
Dutch Corner Cabinet
Located in Milano, IT
An elegant double body corner cabinet, four doors of which the upper ones are shaped. Maple inlays with urns, leaves decorations and flowers, especially tulips. Shaped frieze with ce...
Maple, Walnut
19th Century Mahogany Rounded Corner Cabinet
Located in IT
Mahogany veneered cabinet, round shaped. The piece of furniture is divided into two parts. Each one has two doors that contains some shelves. ...
Mahogany
19th Century Mahogany Corner Cabinet
Located in Hixson, TN
19th century mahogany inlaid English corner cabinet. This corner cabinet is two parts. The top section has a bow front. The glass is bowed and wavy. This opens to reveal two shelves ...
Sold
H 87 in W 37 in D 25 in
Bow Front Danish Empire Corner Cabinet or Cupboard in Mahogany, circa 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Beautifully crafted Danish Empire bowed front corner cabinet in mahogany, circa 1810 featuring beautiful crotch mahogany panels and styles and original key escutcheons. The width...
Mahogany