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.
Christian VIII Empire Oval Pedestal Tea Table in Mahogany, Denmark, circa 1835
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome Christian VIII neoclassical-style tea or breakfast table in mahogany with oval top on foliate-carved baluster-turned column resting on quatre-form pedestal base with carve...
Mahogany
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Period 19th Century Rosewood Card Table English
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant English mid-19th Century well figured card table of serpentine form having carved decoration. A very good quality table that can be used in any space. The rectangular top wi...
Rosewood
Antique Empire Russia St. Petersburg Mahogany Games Console Table Brass Banding
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant Russian games and console table was made in st Petersburg circa 1810. It has ben crafted out of mahogany and is decorated with fine brass banding.The table is convertibl...
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Cherry wood base, with mo...
Brass
Early 20th C. Refinished French Regency Tiered Tea Side Table with Brass Accents
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Refinished French Regency Tiered Tea Table / Side Table with Brass Accents. Measures 30" in width and 29.75" in length and 29.5" in height. Lower is 11" high wi...
Brass
Card table, Northern Europe, the 19th centuries.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique card table from around 1870. In very good condition. Dimensions: height 77 cm / width 70 cm / depth 34 - 68 cm
Walnut
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Card or Tea Table, Vienna 1880-1900
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique card or tea table dates back to around 1880-1900 and comes from Vienna. It has an elegant mahogany veneer and gorgeous bronze fittings. The small table has a fold out top...
Mahogany
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
Game table circa 1840
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
a marquetery game table 19 century need restorations
Wood
19th Century Two-Tier Solid Quarter Sawn Oak Accent Table
Located in Germantown, MD
This late 19th century 2 tier table includes a large table top of 23.5" square with carved edges, as well as a second bottom tier shelf with. It is made off of 100% solid oak wood, and suitable for any occasion, cocktail snacks, flowers or even a cup of tea depending on how you want to use it for the occasion. The top is large enough to accommodate many people sharing it for a tea party as well. The table has been refinished, legs reinforced with L brackets...
Oak
$822Sale Price|30% Off
H 26 in W 28 in D 14 in
Antique American Empire Mahogany Flip Top Game Table Card Console Parlor Tea Tab
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century Victorian Era American Empire flip top game table or console. Made of mahogany featuring American Empire styling with rectangular form, tapered pedestal over a s...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century William IV Mahogany Pedestal Card Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th Century William IV mahogany pedestal card table, it has four down-swept legs which terminate on original brass casters. The top is cross-banded and swivels to reveal an in...
Mahogany
Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Card/Side Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality 19th century Victorian antique mahogany card/side table having a lovely mahogany top that lifts up and swivels to reveal a green baize interior, carved frieze supported by a ...
Other
Antique Folding Pedestal Card Table Mid 19th Century
Located in Tilburg, NL
Antique Folding Pedestal Card Table, Mid 19th Century. This is a wonderful folding card table with a very distinct pedestal base. Made in the middle of the 19th century, this is a t...
Brass
19th Century English Rosewood Game Table
Located in High Point, NC
A fine 19th century rosewood game table from England. The curved front has a hand beaded edge and wonderfully grained as well. The table top is constructed ingeniously to fold open a...
Rosewood
$3,375
H 29.25 in Dm 30.75 in
Early 20th C Federal Style Hand Carved Mahogany Piecrust Edge Tilt-top Tea Table
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
This is a magnificent Federal Style (or Federal Revival) early 20th century bench made solid mahogany Piecrust Edge Tilt-Top Tea Table with birdcage action. The top is exceptionally...
Mahogany
American Classical Style Solid Pine and Brass Pedestal Center Table
Located in Germantown, MD
American Classical style solid pine and brass pedestal quad feet center table. Top will come off for easy handling or storage. Measuring 36 i...
Brass
$2,996
H 29.75 in W 34 in D 34 in
Antique American Empire Pedestal Console, Card / Games Table in Flame Mahogany
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique American Empire fold-up console table, card / games table in West Indies flame Mahogany with pedestal and storage area on original wheels. Measures 34" in width x 34" in dept...
Hardwood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Carved French Games Table with Leather Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century carved French games table with leather top, circa 1920 Beautiful games table with a leather top, four corner pull-outs and a single drawer on each side. Dimensio...
Leather, Wood
19th Century antique Marquetry Table Around 1850/60
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique marquetry table Complex inlay work Probably Italy around 1850/1860 Walnut and many fruit woods such as plum Cherry pear etc. Age...
Wood
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 24 in D 24 in
19th Century Mahogany Marquetry Card or Occasional Table
Located in Lomita, CA
Marquetry and burl, expertly crafted into a 19th century Louis XVI style occasional or entry table creates a splash. The table was made in France in the late 19th century and it is ...
Mahogany
Empire Style Gueridon Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Empire style gueridon table with black and white marble circular top within a beechwood frame, on baluster-form column support atop an incurved tripod base. Dealer: S138XX
Marble
19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Game Table, Backgammon
Located in El Monte, CA
19th century French Empire period Tric Trac Games Table. The top features an inlaid checkerboard with delicate veneered inlays framing each players side. When flipped over, inset gre...
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany and Mounted Brass Side Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th century Mahogany, with mounted brass ormolu. Measures: 20" W x 16" D x...
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Tea Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Book-matched mahogany in starburst pattern, with gold g...
Mahogany, Giltwood
Sold
H 22.25 in W 27 in D 27 in
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Tea Table with Starburst Top
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Cherry wood, with burled walnut banding on top and stun...
Brass
Sold
H 26 in W 24.75 in D 24.75 in
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Ebonized Gueridon, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Cherry wood, with ebonized columns and brass and gold g...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 38.25 in D 38.25 in
Baker Furniture French Empire Fruitwood Pedestal Center Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style fruitwood pedestal breakfast table or center table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, late 20th century. Measures: 38.25"W x 3...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 28.63 in W 36 in D 36 in
Baker Furniture Empire Mahogany Pedestal Tea Table or Center Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire style carved mahogany pedestal tea table or center table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Circa 1980s M...
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Empire Burled Walnut Lazy Susan Drum Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or Neoclassical style drum side table or tea table with unique rotating Lazy Susan interior By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Walnut, with burled walnut ...
Walnut, Burl
Baker Furniture Milling Road French Empire Mahogany Tea Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style carved mahogany pedestal tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture "Milling Road" Collection Circa 1990s Measures: 30"W x 30"D x 2...
Mahogany
Card Table, Empire, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
A unique card game from around 1870. Very good condition. Origin: Northern Europe Wood: Mahogany Dimensions: Height 60 cm Width 57 cm x 57 cm unfolded 81 cm x 81 cm.
Mahogany
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Side Tables, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire or neoclassical style mahogany tea tables or occasional side tables By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Measures: 26" W x 26" D x 27.25" H. ...
Mahogany