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.
Late 19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Four Shelves Etagere
Located in Miami, FL
This tall late nineteenth century French Empire style walnut console table features columns at the front corners and four shelves.
Wood
Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century. Perfect in the kitchen for vinegar and oil or in the hallway for gloves or keys. Wear consistent with a...
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Empire Painted Tabernacle Wall Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall or tabletop with this elegant antique tabernacle cabinet, crafted in France circa 1860. Originally used in a church or chapel, the petite vitrine features a domed top...
Walnut
$1,377
H 20.08 in W 15.75 in D 8.47 in
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Wall Cabinet / Small Cabinet Carved Oak
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Lovely antique 19th century Neoclassical wall cabinet / small cabinet Germany 1880. This German Grunderzeit cabinet is made from hand carved oak & is richly decorated. A true display of craftsmanship & quality. This cabinet has 2 doors and comes with a working lock & key. Its interior has 2 oak shelves. The cabinet has a very nice old restoration to the right side dating from the 1940s. A piece of furniture history with the right antique charm...
Brass
$1,505
H 29.53 in W 20.08 in D 9.85 in
Antique Swedish Empire Wall Cabinet 19th Century Walnut Gilt Bronze Hanging
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & stylish Swedish wall cabinet in Empire style 19th century. with carvings in walnut & gilt bronze decorations Really nice solid wood quality with hand carved decorations. ...
Bronze
Carved shelf in gilded wood - Florence, mid-19th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Fine Florentine shelf dating from the mid-19th century, entirely hand-carved in solid wood and finely gilded with gold leaf. The work features very rich sculptural work, with phytomo...
Gold Leaf
$1,505
H 22.45 in W 13 in D 6.3 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Richly Carved Wall Cabinet 19th Century Brass
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Luxurious & romantic French Renaissance revival Wall cabinet / small cabinet , richly carved & decorated with brass. Very nice craftsmanship with impressive carvings. When opened...
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Wall Cabinet from Stockholm
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early nineteenth-century wall cabinet from Stockholm, showcasing the distinctive craftsmanship and regional character of Swedish furniture from this period. The cabinet has been c...
Wood
$2,300
H 37.5 in W 33.5 in D 11 in
Antique English Plate Rack Wall Shelf Hanging Wall Decor Carved Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique English Oak Hanging Wall Shelf Plate Rack~~19th Century The perfect decorative accent piece for displaying your favorite Imari, Majolica, Staffordshire or other an...
Oak
Pair 19th Century Japanese Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th Century Japanese carved wood wall shelves with inlay and painted foliage motifs.
Wood
Chinoiserie Red Pagoda Style Wall Shelf, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage red chinoiserie wall hanging shelf with one drawer at bottom. Three shelves for display. Can also sit on another piece in lieu of hang...
Wood, Paint
18th Century English Wall Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
Late 18th century Georgian oak wall shelf with stepped crown molding which has dental detail as well, following down to a lovely hand scalloped apron over four shelves. the shelves a...
Oak
Mid-century Style 4-Tier Round Brass Colored Wall Hanging Shelf
Located in Van Nuys, CA
4-tier Mid-century wall-hanging shelves feature a striking round brass-colored metal frame. The shelves are suspended within the circular frame, creating a unique, eye-catching displ...
Brass
19th Century Mahogany Bracket Shelf from England
Located in High Point, NC
19th century mahogany wall shelf from England. This shelf is absolutely gorgeous. It is made from solid mahogany which is wonderfully grained and each shelf is a single board. The...
Mahogany
19th Century Original Blue Painted Hanging Rack with Shelf
Located in Round Top, TX
This festive 7' long hanging rack or shelf is a wonderful example of the folk art found in Eastern Europe during the 1800's. The original dark blue painted background has traditional...
Wood, Paint
GBV Nine Ceramic Shelf with Hand Painted Fair 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Ceramic shelf from Nove di Bassano with flowers and fair, hand-painted by Gian Battista Viero and made in the 19th century. Restorations have been carried out as shown in the picture...
Ceramic
Sold
H 29 in W 29.5 in D 10.25 in
Antique French Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Wall Shelf with/Mirror Back
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Hand Painted Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Mirror Back Dresden Style Wall/Vanity Shelf Imbued with the grace of Antique French design, this hand-painted porcelain ...
Brass
Sold
H 33.5 in W 11.25 in D 9.75 in
19th Century Pair of French Empire Mahogany and Brass Mirrored Wall Shelves
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This handsome pair of French Empire mahogany wall shelves feature beveled mirrored backs and fluted columns. The shelves are trimmed with inlaid brass accents and have a single drawe...
Brass
Sold
H 33.5 in W 29.5 in D 0.1 in
Rare Early 1900 Hand-Carved Book Trough or Bookcase Stand with Swan Necks
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted and hand-carved book trough. This lovely Empire style book stand dates from the early 1900s. This fine cherrywood example is in good overall condition and a decorative o...
Brass