Empire Buffets
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
4
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
26
8
32
2
389
265
264
173
161
93
50
49
39
34
33
31
28
19
11
10
4
3
27
5
2
2
1
1
1
1
34
24
17
17
14
31
25
2
2
2
34
32
33
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A breathtaking Dutch-made, French Empire style buffet of flamed mahogany with coordinating dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The slab exhibits constellations...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Walnut & Marble Top Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A monumental French Empire buffet made of figured walnut in a rich auburn hue, coordinating with the dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The original marble sl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Inspired Walnut Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charmingly patinated solid walnut buffet, exhibiting French Empire flair tempered by Louis Philippe, circa 1860. The simple plank top is held with visible tongue & groove joinery,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Iron
French Fruitwood Empire Style Buffet a Deux Corps
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial 19th century Empire-style French buffet a deux corps, handmade of fruitwood accented with brass hardware, composed of a glass-fronted vitrine above three drawers and a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire buffet made of rich flame bookmatched mahogany is classic in style. The original marble top of charcoal with white veining sits at the top of this buffet and is remov...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA . Very Important and Large Enfilade De Boiserie Buffet Lavabo C.1810 Empire Transition Charles X A great patron of the arts. Light colored woods, yellow or bleached were dominant. This Piece is made of the Bois Clairs in warm blond tone typical of the period 1810-1830.
We have another video of the interior to share with you if you wish.
Wall Paneling Cabinets and a trumeau Mirror at the center of the Curve, in Front of it a nicely carved Stone Urn with Sphere finial top creating a back splash of a Sink. A very elegant architectural element “La Haute Société ". Focal point of a grand room . These pieces make for a truly special interior to any residence. Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA Melrose Ave La Cienega Blvd . Two Very Large Wall mount Cabinets with very large Doors and original hardware hinges , keys and locks , interior of each cabinet with 3 dividers that makes 4 compartments, a great space to store your dinner service , your porcelain , wine , your glassware etc . painted a beautiful light green on the interior.
A very large Marble Hand Carved Urn, on a pedestal and the Swan Fountain...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze
Baker Neoclassical French Empire Flame Mahogany Flip Top Server Dry Bar Buffet
Located in Dayton, OH
Exceptional Baker Furniture Company flip-top server, circa 1980s. Inspired by English Regency, Neoclassical and French Empire styling. A rectangular form with made from mahogany with...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Buffets
Materials
Mahogany
19th century French empire mahogany sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French empire mahogany cabinet buffet circa 1880.
Original white and grey marble top. Large double doors open to reveal 2 fitted drawers with a single large shelf below...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Solid Walnut & Marble Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive French Empire buffet made of figured walnut in a rich auburn hue that coordinates with the dark marble top surface for a classic look. The stone shows pockets of dark g...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble
Empire Buffet with Marble Top and original Brass Hardware
Located in Wichita, KS
French Empire style sideboard buffet with a marble top. late 19th/ early 20thc. The buffet is fitted with four drawers, central dual cabinet doors opening to a shelved interior, fl...
Category
20th Century French Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Charleston, SC
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble. The buffet or credenza features three cabinet doors enclosed by bronze mounted columns and stands prou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble
Empire French Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France from the empire period. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily walnut. There are two half columns with bronze detailing at the top and bottom. Th...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Brass
19th Century Bronze Mounted French Empire Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century French Empire cabinet with bronze mounts and leather top. 2 drawers over 2 door cabinet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Buffet Cabinet, by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted marquetry buffet cabinet, by François Linke, Paris.
This handsome buffet or side cabinet has its original Swedish green marble top. The veneers are of the finest figured acajou flammé. The frieze is fitted with a long drawer with citronnier and ebonised marquetry panel depicting a Etruscan chariot...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Empire Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet/Sideboard/Bar Cabinet with Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet / Sideboard / Bar Cabinet with Mirror
This antique sideboard with a mirror top features a distinctive tiger oak wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Buffets
Materials
Mirror, Oak
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Empire mahogany marble top buffet is a marvel of the cabinetmaker's art! First, exotic imported mahogany was employed to create a rich, beautiful background using...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Provincial Buffet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Unusual late 19th Century / Empire period Swedish provincial buffet with vernacular detailing.
Two frieze drawers over a pair of cupboard doors each flanked by turned columns.
Repain...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bibliotheque or Bookcase
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine French Empire period bibliotheque handcrafted from select French walnut by skilled artisans from Lyon during the First Empire of Napoleon, circa early 1800s. The upper bookcas...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet with Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire mahogany marble top buffet with bronze is an exquisite example of fine French cabinetry, with the emphasis on the finest mater...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim Beautiful piece purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble
French Empire Demi Lune Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Empire style bowfront flame okum veneered and oval pollard oak burl panel inlaid side cabinet or buffet, the brass bound top above three frieze drawers above four cabinet do...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Buffets
Materials
Brass
Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
Impressive Empire style buffet by Maison Krieger
French, circa 1900
Measures: Height 199cm, width 217cm, depth 66cm
This magnificent Empire style c...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Buffet cabinet designed following some distinctive elements of the Empire
style such as the applications of bronzes on the column legs, zoomorphic feet
and friezes that frame the s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Buffets
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Empire st. flamed mahogany, ormolu and fossilized black marble Buffet. The buffet is raised by elegant circular feet below striking architectural colum...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu & Vert De Patricia Marble Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scaled French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble buffet. The four door three drawer buffet is raised by a straight base with...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French late 19th century Empire st. flamed mahogany buffet. This three drawers and four door buffet has the original interior shelf and is raised by four elongated support...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Swedish Fall Front Desk with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century fall front desk from Kalix, North of Sweden.
The overhanging rectangular top abowe a drop down writing surface enclosing a fitted interior with drawers and a central cu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Pine
Italian Walnut Sideboard / Buffet / Credenza, 19th Century
Located in Viterbo, VT
Credenza hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The credenza follows very typical Italian lines with molding used throughout to add depth and decoration to an, otherwise...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Walnut
Antique Empire Painted Buffet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style painted buffet / cabinet, 19th century. The paint is later and 20th century. With a faux marble molded overhanging top over two cup...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Wood, Paint
French Antique Empire Style Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet, French, in the “return from Egypt” Empire style. After the Egyptian campaign Napoleon asked his “ebenistes“ to incorporate stylistic elements i...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire Period Sideboard or Buffet
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Empire Period Sideboard or Buffet
France, 1830
Cherrywood,
This early nineteenth century French Buffet is constructed of solid Cherrywood. Three drawers of dovetail con...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Cherry
French 19th Century Empire Style Neoclassical Burl Walnut Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very attractive French 19th century Empire st. Neo-classical burl walnut three door and three drawer buffet. The buffet is raised by square tapered legs with an ebony filet and orm...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany and Marble Buffet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu, mahogany and white Carrara marble buffet vitrine. The buffet is raised by handsome block supports centering an elegant raised frieze decorated with a fine ormolu band with scrolled foliate movements. At the center are two doors with glass panes each adorned with striking mottled ormolu fillets, fine rosettes and exceptional pierced palmettes. The two outer doors are flanked by striking architectural columns with outstanding foliate ormolu plinths and capitals. The outer doors also display central glass panes framed within an elegant ormolu band with scrolled designs. The doors open to reveal one adjustable shelf in each section and beautiful cream curtains...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mouchette Mahogany, Burl Ash, Santos Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu, and Giallo Antico marble buffet. This stunning three draw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire buffets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire buffets 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 buffets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire buffets 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 buffets, popular names associated with this style include François Linke, and Maison Krieger. 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 buffets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,995 and tops out at $220,000 while the average work can sell for $7,650.