Empire Mirrors
EMPIRE STYLE
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.
to
25
Height
to
Width
to
254
2
1
128
125
5,835
2,399
1,230
757
668
557
507
503
449
402
365
356
348
262
257
156
71
66
9
191
54
3
14
22
15
2
2
4
4
9
11
1
220
138
125
75
73
229
122
32
31
19
257
257
257
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
Huge Mirror, Frame, mahogany, faceted, console available, ~1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful floor or full length mirror, from the Empire period, made around 1810 in Austria.
This huge mirror is still in its original condition - about 20 years ago the surface was...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Spruce
Mirror, Frame, wonderful swan decor, Empire, 1815, Vienna Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful wall mirror from the Empire period, around 1820, made in Vienna, Austria, Europe.
The mirror is in impressive good condition, only the mirror plate has been renewed to en...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Spruce
Empire French Period Mirror "Psychee"
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Empire French period mirror "Psychee" in mahogany marketry.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French gold leaf gilded mirror cabinet Empire era 1820s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Antique French gilded gold-leaf mirror 1820s Empire period,characteristics of the period are the four palmette decorations adorning the corners of the frame,original mercury mirror o...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Original Empire Style Large Console Mirror in Walnut Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 19th century Empire style console wall mirror in walnut . Column with marbled walnut wood with gold leaf on the end, three mirrors and top molded frame.
This important mirro...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
French Empire Style Gilt Leaf and Urn Motif Wall Mirror
Located in Peabody, MA
French empire style wall mirror featuring a classic motif of gilt leaf and flower vining emanating from a center urn, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
Napoleon I Empire French Gold Leaf Wood Mirror
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Elega...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mercury Glass, Wood
19th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French rectangular wall mirror made of hand carved gilded Pinewood with its original mirror glass, in good condition. The arched mirror is particularized by detailed flower carvings and fittings. The Parisian décor piece represents the First French Empire...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Cheval Mirror with Brass Inlays & Ormolu, circa 1790
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely Empire cheval mirror in mahogany with brass inlays & ormolu mounts, on double lyre-pedestal with original mirror. France, circa 1790.
Dimensions: 34" wide x 19 3/4" deep x ...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Antique Mirror With Frame Made In Mahogany, Denmark From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and originating from Denmark around the 1880s, is a stunning example of late 19th-century design and craftsmanship.
The fram...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Giltwood Mirror, Empire Period, circa 1810
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French giltwood wall mirror, Empire period, circa 1810. Antique gold leaf frame, period Empire, adorned with palmettes and vegetal mot...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Period Cheval Mirror
Located in Winter Park, FL
19th century French Empire period cheval, or psyche mirror, made of solid walnut with beautiful wood grain and waxed patina. Nice proportions and large in scale for a tabletop mirror. Turned egg...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
French 19th Century Empire Giltwood Wall Mirror with Original Mirror Glass
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful Empire gold gilt mirror with neoclassical embossed motifs: a classic French form. A lovely rectangular shape, the surfaces all decora...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Russian Mahogany Gilt Eagle and Bell Flower Garland Rope Wall Mirror, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Russian mahogany gilt eagle wall mirror with lambs tongue, beading, bell flower garland, and rope twisted border wall mirror. Mirror retains the original spotted glass...
Category
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood, Glass
Empire Herringbone Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Empire herringbone gilt wood mirror. Walnut herringbone veneer frame with interior wide Mecca gilt band with further palm foliate border framing original slightly distressed mirror plate. Some wear to wide gilt band otherwise a handsome neoclassical mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Christian Dior Red Velvet Salon Mirror, Paris, 1950s
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Classic and elegant Empire-style salon mirror by Christian Dior in Paris. Covered in rich red velvet, the front is applied with neoclassical design elements in brass including rosett...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
French Empire Vanity Mirror with Original Reverse Etched Glass Panels circa 1800
Located in valatie, NY
French Empire vanity mirror with original reverse etched glass panels, circa 1800, of classical figures. It has original gilded classical mounts. ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Mirror With Sculpted Coper And Ebony Wood Decoration - Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant ebony and embossed copper pareclose mirror from the beginning of the 19th century
Very beautiful mirror which has a beautiful proportion decorated with embossed and fire-gil...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Copper
Giltwood empire mirror c 1860
Located in Houston, TX
Quality of the giltwood carving makes this piece special.
Original in every way with both the mirror plate and
The finely carved frame. The mirror is slightly hazey
And perfectly age...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Mahogany fram mirror with the original glass with gilt decoration.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 48cm
Ref.: 84654522
21
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin
Pair of Wall Mirrors, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of pillar mirrors in gold-patinated and stuccoed frame with profiled molding. The mirror panes are divided in the upper third. Patination is rubbe...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror. Item features burl wood, beveled glass, stately bronze mounts including human figured feet, maiden face...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical Style Brass and Lacquered Metal Mirror with Cup and Swan Necks.
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Empire style mirror is made of brass and lacquered metal with decoration. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal, Brass
An Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany and Giltwood mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately northern Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany and Giltwood mirror. This stunning Mahogany mirror is decorated with a Giltwood string of laurels at the b...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Empire Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular wall mirror in a gold-patinated, profiled frame with decorative acanthus leaf and scroll motifs in the corners.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
1970s Gilt Carved Resin Sculptural Wall Mirrors, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning wall mirrors you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Resin
Italian Empire Walnut Psyche Table Mirror with Gold Gilt Swans and Ebony Inlay
Located in Encinitas, CA
Impressive Italian 19th century Empire style "psyche" table mirror. circa 1830.
The oval walnut swivel mirror frame is suspended between a pair of gold gilt carved swans with acanthus vestments, resting on hoofed feet mounted to the base.
Octagonal marquetry of walnut burl veneers on the oval frame's reverse is embellished with ebony and linden floral inlay. The mirror glass is accented by a gilt beaded border, and the walnut veneered pediment-shaped base is trimmed in gilt palmette.
The mirror tilt...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold
French Empire Period Carved Giltwood Mirror, Formerly a Barometer, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
In the shape of a lyre, the dial face replaced by a mirrorplate, in near perfect restored condition, the carving featuring grapes and vines, rosettes, acanthus leaves, and a star, fi...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
French Empire Gilt Swan Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire gilt oval horizontal wall mirror with swan-shaped sides and urn top with floral decoration.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of French Empire Style Mahogany Sphinx Figure Wall Mirrors
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany wall mirrors with gilt sphinx heads and trim with tapered inset inlaid design marble sides (Related item: 055517)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Marble
Empire Period Parcel-Gilt and Cherry Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and large Empire period mirror, dating from the early 1800s and French in origin.
The mirror frame in cherrywood with carved gilded neoclassical design and mirror plate in ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Fruitwood
Regency Style Bulls Eye Eagle Mirror
Located in Montclair, NY
A large Regency style mirror with birds eye maple round frame and domed glass central mirror. Topped with a large hand cast black resin eagle and accented on the bottom with matching...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin, Birdseye Maple
White Painted French Mirror
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French neoclassic style white painted and rubbed mirror with a molded cornice, paneled uprights each with flowerhead reliefs and with a beveled mirror.
Dimensions: 52" W x 4.5" D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Very Tall 8' Antique Empire Style Mirror, Italian, Walnut, Marble, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an extraordinary 8' tall antique Empire Style console mirror. An Italian extended pier mirror in walnut with a marble plinth, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1860. Of i...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Marble
Large Golden Oval Perfect Frame
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6480 - Large golden oval frame, perfect for a mirror or an important painting. For the mirror it's better to mount Yourself, due to transport problems from Italy. On request I can ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Fruitwood
Empire Wall Mirror, Baltic States, around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large wall mirror with brass profiles and mahogany veneered frame as well as a gable end rising in the middle. The mirror glass is frame-facetted.
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
French Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
With an arched mirror set in a conforming frame and able to swing and adjust, flanked by a pair of columns with Corinthian capitals and urn finials, square plinth base. Casters.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Fireplace Empire Lombardy First Quarter 19th Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Lombard fireplace set in walnut, with ebonized and gilded parts.
In the lower part, a broken plinth base with ebonized reserves
bounded by successional leaf-carved and gilded battens...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Nutwood
Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Neoclassical carved Trumeau mirror with beautiful figures and decoration throughout.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Style Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Manhasset, NY
19th century Empire style wall or table mirror. The two part mirror having a gilt frame of Empire design with fully carved supports terminating in a molded top with lower circular ba...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
German Wooden Biedermeier/ Empire Trumeau Mirror with Brass a Appliques
Located in Hamburg, DE
The pillar mirror, also called trumeau is from the German Biedermeier period. The frame is made of mahogany and root wood veneer. On the frame above the mirror is a mythological scen...
Category
Early 18th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded.
Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Wood and Gilded Stucco Overmantel Mirror, Empire Period, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period overmantel mirror, in wood and stucco gilded with gold leaf. This mirror is framed by two antique style pilasters in wood and stucco, gilded with gold leaf. A rectangul...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Stucco, Wood
French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style mahogany and ormolu-mounted freestanding Cheval swiveling mirror. The oval framed mirror plate surmounted with Empire style ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Style Giltwood Mirror Elaborately Carved Frame Circa 19th Century
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Empire style giltwood mirror, circa 19th century, elaborately carved frame, the mirror flanked by fluted baluster uprights, four corners decorated with lion-head pattern.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
FRENCH WALL MIRROR 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
FRENCH WALL MIRROR 19th Century
with a wooden frame and golden plaster, topped by a finial with an urn, plant motifs and scrolls.
Signs of use and small flaws.
Dim.: 123 x 147 cm
goo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings, is a stunning example of Danish craftsmanship from around the 1880s. The rich, deep tones of the...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
French Empire Mirror (1800-1810) Mahogany Frame with Brass Decor
Located in Leimen, DE
French Empire Mirror (1800-1810) Mahogany Frame with Brass Antique Head and gilt wood Floral Decorations
Enhance your space with this authentic French Empire mirror, dating back to...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Empire Commode in Walnut with Black Columns Mirror White Carrara Marble
Located in Prato, IT
Italia, 1810
Walnut veneer
Top in white Carrara marble
Columns in ebonized wood
Bases, capitals and paw carvings gilded in pure gold
Good conditions
Chest of drawers W126 x D56...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Carrara Marble
Continental Swedish Empire Gilt and Ebonized Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Swedish Empire giltwood wall mirror with ebonized column sides and trim and a carved eagle pediment over an arch form mirror.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror, Wood
Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very architectural pair of French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu mirrors. The pair of mirrors display mirror plates flanked by two Mahogany columns. The columns have a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Italian Empire Period Walnut Demilune Console Table with Mirror
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful antique early 19th century Italian Empire demilune console tables with mirrors in rich brown walnut wood and black ebonized wood with gilt accents come from a villa in...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Walnut, Wood, Mirror, Mercury Glass
Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process.
Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer
Mirror Made In Mahogany, Marquetry From 1910s
Located in Lejre, DK
This small mirror, crafted from mahogany wood and featuring intricate intarsia, dates back to around the 1910s. It is a beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship and desi...
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany and Gilded Bronze Cheval Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A centrally pivoted cheval mirror with gilded bronze mounts; the arched beveled mirror framed in mahogany with gilded bronze rosettes; the mirror...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
FRENCH WALL MIRROR early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
WALL MIRROR French Early 20th Century in carved and gilded wood.
Dim.: 130 x 84 cm.
good conditions
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Antique standing mirror Classicism - Empire Walnut
Located in Würzburg, DE
✓ Beautiful brass ornaments
✓ High quality wood selection
✓ Rare find
Dimensions: W: 78cm H: 106cm D: 48cm
Item: Antique mirror
Item no.: 932
Epoch: Empire around 1800
Material: Wa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Nutwood
Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mirrors made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, C. Werné, Chelini Firenze, and Design Institute America. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $321 and tops out at $161,044 while the average work can sell for $3,200.