Empire Game Tables
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.
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Style: Empire
Antique American Empire Style Cuban Mahogany Game Table
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant American Empire style game table, circa 1835. This versatile piece showcases classic design with a practical function. The swivel top, supported by a graceful cylinder column...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Game Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a circular hand painted scagliola top resting atop a circular frame, the thick walnut veneer of a pronounced grain, the ebonized columnar standard with carved giltwood rings r...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Game Tables
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire Period mahogany gueridon, or game table, with Grey St. Anne marble top. A versatile table with removable top, one side with green felt and the other with...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Located in Cesena, FC
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Exquisite inlays and edges, with brass decorations on legs and borders.
An object of the highest quality.
Inside compartments a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Game Tables
Materials
Brass
Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A Northern European Empire games table. Flamed mahogany top opens to reveal felt lined game surface. Brass mounts embellish a neoclassic sensibility.
Category
1840s Baltic Antique Empire Game Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Game table made during the Karl Johan period 1810-1830 in Sweden. Made from light mahogany and decorated with brass hardware. Tapered legs. Felt interior with backgammon and chess ga...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Game Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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Previously Available Items
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19th Century Italian Game Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Italian Empire style game table.
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Leather, Boxwood, Rosewood
Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period French Empire Mahogany Tric Trac Games Table. Inlaid Backgammon Well. Original Removable Top with leather on one side for writing and felt o...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables
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Ebony, Mahogany
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...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables
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Brass
Empire Style Parcel Ebonized Occasional Table
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire style parcel ebonized occasional table with gilt accents.
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Early 20th Century French Empire Game Tables
Materials
Wood
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.
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1870s Swedish Antique Empire Game Tables
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American Empire Crotch Flame Mahogany Paw Feet Pedestal Base Console Game Table
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3 Piece 20th Century Burr Birch Games Table and Armchairs
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Multifunctional Table, Dressing, Chess, Writing Desk, Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique dressing table, play and work table
Western Germany
Mahogany
Classicism circa 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 77 x 83 x 52 cm
Multifunctional 19th century table in mahogany veneered on oak.
Round, conical legs standing in brass sabots.
Frame with typical grooves in the outer part. Two narrow drawers with interesting internal divisions. Two further drawers arranged one above the other; one folds open and can be used as a backgammon or chess board, the other can be set up with an integrated mirror.
Table top covered with original leather, surrounding gallery of brass.
Pull knobs and key plates also made of brass.
Rare and unique piece of furniture.
Condition: Ready to use, restored condition. Shellac hand polished. Also backside beautifully worked.
Good to know about mahogany:
Mahogany has always been a popular wood in furniture making. The first mahogany woods were brought to Europe from the West Indies about 450 years ago. Wood from far away countries was expensive and so it was only used for the finest furniture.
During the baroque period, mahogany wood was particularly popular at the French court and in England, where Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton used the wood for their furniture.
Dark cubamahogany was used for antique furniture of the Biedermeier and Empire periods. It was used as veneer and was also called pyramid mahogany because of its unmistakable grain.
Mahogany has always been considered a very noble wood. This impression was reinforced in the Empire when the wood was combined with gilded bronzes.
Since there are many different types of mahogany, there are also many different color variations. Mahogany comes in colors from light reddish to very dark brown. When untreated, mahogany is more likely to be brownish in color. The dark color that we know from antique furniture often only comes out through the shellac.
Mahogany is still used today for precious furniture and furnishings, for example in yacht and ship interiors.
The mahogany wood used in the creation of our antiques came...
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Early 1800s German Antique Empire Game Tables
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Leather, Mahogany
H 30.32 in W 32.68 in D 20.48 in
Antique French Mahogany Game Table and Petite Woman's Writing Desk or Table
Located in Chicago, IL
There are actually (3) top surfaces available to pick from on our antique French mahogany small side or end table. There is a traditional felt top for the game table, plus an original black leather top with gilding for when you chose to have a writing desk and finally, there is a faux mahogany surface, should you remove the top and just use as a lamp table, side table or end table. Our Old Plank restoration department, refinished the mahogany in an old school French polish, but made sure we did not over restore the antique French game table.
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1910s French Vintage Empire Game Tables
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Mahogany
H 28 in W 32.25 in D 19.25 in
Continental Empire Mahogany Center Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Empire mahogany center / game table with ormolu mount, circa 1820. With a plum pudding mahogany / burl top and a crotch mahogany pedestal with a band of ormolu around the...
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1810s European Antique Empire Game Tables
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Ormolu
Empire game tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire game tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage game tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire game tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Baltic States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 game tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,250 and tops out at $9,600 while the average work can sell for $5,625.