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Empire 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
Impressive Empire Style Malachite and Ormolu Center Table After Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in New York, NY
An impressive empire style malachite and ormolu center table after the imperial model by Francois Honore Georges Jacob-Desmalter, 1770-1841. "AUX CARIATIDES", Empire style round m...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Tables

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

French 19th Century Mahogany & Marble Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French marble top gueridon from the Restauration period that would be stunning in a foyer as a center table or as a large end table in a living room. A circular piece ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Empire Console with Marble Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial French 19th century Empire mahogany console. The thick Carrara marble top is in wonderful antique condition, showing exciting gray veining that forms a nice contrast to...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Black Marble Coffee Table with metal and Brass Base Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Coffee Table, Black Marble Top, Metal Base, Handmade in Italy Cupioli Black Slate coffee table top with scagliola art inlays , whrought metal ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Tables

Materials

Slate, Wrought Iron

Baker French Empire Regency Round Ebonized Granite Top Gueridon Center Table 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Baker Furniture Empire / Regency / Neoclassical inspired Gueridon side table. Features a hardwood ebonized frame with dark granite top. The round form is supported by three contoured legs with gold finished lion heads beneath the frieze leading to a triangular trestle or shelf and ornate gold paw...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Tables

Materials

Granite

French Empire Gilt Bronze Mounted Marble Top Center Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Elegant early 19th century round black dished marble top over mahogany base Center Table, circa 1810. Table features three column supports, applied wreath mounts at joints, splayed b...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Antique Pair French Empire Ormolu Mounted Flame Mahogany Console Tables 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique pair of French Empire marble topped and ormolu mounted flame mahogany console tables, Circa 1840 in date. Each with a rectangular breche violette marble top...
Category

1840s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Round Mahogany Table on a Hexagonal Base
Located in Casteren, NL
A very rare Dutch Empire round table in exquisite flamed mahogany. The tabletop is made from two sheets of mahogany in a symmetrical open book...
Category

Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Baker Furniture Italian Empire Cherry Wood Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal extension dining table. By Baker Furniture. USA, Circa Late 20th...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Tables

Materials

Cherry

Pair of Gilded Wrought Iron Empire Coffee Tables
Located in Miami, FL
This rare 1920's French Empire swan coffee tables are made of wrought iron with gilded accents. Very heavy and sturdy with two tier glass tops. Good vintage condition with normal cos...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Empire Tables

Materials

Iron

Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date. The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Ebonized Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Classic, French Empire round end table of white marble top on a tripod base with recent painted finish. The mottled stone top is mostly white with faint gray veining and offers a rai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Elegant vintage classical Empire inspired marble top table by Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an elegant empire inspired marble topped side table by Maitland Smith. This Empire inspired table has a hand forged wrought iron base with three decorative brass wings. This ...
Category

1990s Philippine Empire Tables

Materials

Iron

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A exceptionally rare Period French Empire (1804-1814) walnut bureau a cylindre. Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, most likely Parisian work, dating to the early 19th century, the large antique cylinder desk...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Ash, Burl

Antique French Walnut Empire Style Center Table With Stone Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique French walnut empire style gueridon table with beveled grey stone top. The moulded stone top above a three sided concave base that is raised up on carved paw feet with lappet...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Stone

French Empire Marble Top Center Table Bleached Mahagony
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th century French Empire round black marble top over bleached mahogany base Center Table. Table features three column supports, applied bronze wreath mounts at joints, splaye...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Pair of C1900s Empire Style Side Tables
Located in London, GB
Lovely Pair of Empire Style Tables Lovey Fluted Legs and Ormolu Mounted Date C1900s
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Other

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 Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and Amazing Large Empire French writing desk or bureau plat with embossed black leather top, bronze dore mounts, column legs, and five .drawers. Spectacular French wor...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted, leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Massive Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A massive French white marble top Empire Gueridon made of mahogany. The solid pedestal base has a painted and gilt collar above three splayed feet, the whole raised on working caster...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed sides. The top is provided with inlaid green leather; the drawers have divided small...
Category

Early 1800s Scandinavian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Style Gueridon with Black Marble Top
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome classical Empire-style round center table with a dark gray/black marble top, raised on a hand turned ebonized black center pedestal. The table lends itself to be use...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Empire period mahogany pedestal round table, 19th c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mahogany and mahogany veneer pedestal round table, side table, dining table, tea table column shaft, black granite top with basin, Empire period. France, 19th c.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century Empire Period Marble Top Gueridon
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant guéridon is a fine example of Empire-period craftsmanship, dating back to the early 19th century. Its refined design and high-quality materials reflect the timeless eleg...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Lovely Pair of French Style Black Lacquer Side Tables
Located in London, GB
A Striking Pair of French Style Side Tables with Black Lacquer Finish and Floral Decoration Lovely Detail Dated C20th
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Tables

Materials

Lacquer

ebonized 19th Century Mahogany Round Center Empire Table with Marble Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1840s mahogany empire center table has a new, professionally applied ebonised finish. Gray and white streaked round marble top with a brass trimmed trefoi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Classic Empire Center Table - Weathered Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from grey cerused oak with an unusual weathered acacia finish, this table features a beautifully carved ogee edge that adds a touch of intricate detailing. The table is supp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Tables

Materials

Wood

Baker Furniture Empire Carved Mahogany Pedestal Tea Table or Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire style carved mahogany pedestal tea table or center table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 36"W x 36"D x 28.38"H. P...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Style Round Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Anchored by a quartz top with a refined moulded surround, this table balances classical elegance with luxurious materials. Its bold brass frame features cast tapering legs adorned wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Tables

Materials

Quartz, Brass

20th Century French Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 20th Century French Bureau Plat or desk with drawers and leather inset. In addition the desk has a slide either side which can be extended for additional work space and hid...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Pair of Empire Style Marble Top Mahogany Parcel Gilt Demilune Consoles
Located in Milford, NH
A fine pair of Empire style marble top mahogany parcel gilt demilune consoles with triangular bases and gilt accents, including gilt carved paw feet. The pair are probably French in ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Eagles Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Figural Center Table with Figures of Winged Eagles and Wreaths, the center medallion with a figure of a bull and and raised on lion paws over a sphere, fitted with a veined verde d'alps marble top (Marble top is recent and not the original - Gilding restored with 23.5 cart...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Stunning Gueridon Table, hand carved Dolphin, second Empire, ~1900, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning rare side table, so called Gueridon, from the second Empire, made around 1900 in Italy. This elaborate structure of the table is composed of a round base with small extens...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Spruce

Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Tables

Materials

Wood

Empire Style Round Side Table, Country Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Empire-style Neo Classic wooden round side table in a rustic country finish, with a dish top, four tapered column legs and an X stretcher base. Dimensions: 30" W x 30" D x 27....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Tables

Materials

Wood

Maison Jansen Style Polished Steel & Brass Galleried Glass Top Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent of French Maison Jansen style Empire Revival brass and polished steel side tables with brass gallery and inset glass tops, each with three legs joined by X-form stretch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

French 19th Century Gueridon Table with Marble Top
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
French 19th Century marble-topped centre table in the true Empire style. This table has been bleached to give it a unique look, showing off the flamed Mahogany graining. Together wi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Marble Topped Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Empire style side table handcrafted in France. A wonderful square piece of emerald green marble featuring black veining and hazy white patterns sits atop a cast iron base w...
Category

20th Century French Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Iron

French 19th Century Empire Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French mahogany Empire console with its original marble top. A single drawer is housed in the apron over a pair of column form front legs with neoclassical style brass capit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

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...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Category

20th Century Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table circa 1890. Rectangular top with canted corners.  Hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior of compartments arranged aroun...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Edwardian Brass & Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere
Located in Dereham, GB
Edwardian Brass & Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere 3 Mahogany & Satinwood banded inlaid shelves, Supported by brass Column frame with Finials at top, Sitting on Brass Castors Recent...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Inlaid Cherry and Burl Wood Coffee Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style coffee or cocktail table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Inlaid cherry wood top, with burl wood banding, ebonized co...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Empire Style Pacel Gilt and Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive mid-century Empire Style parcel gilt and carved Mahogany coffee / cocktail Table. Measures 46" in width, 27.75" in depth and standing 17.5" tall.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

French Mahogany Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pierced brass gallery surrounds the round, white marble top on this terrific 19th Century French Empire style gueridon. The top is lifted by three column-form legs that are joined ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Mahogany Dining Room / Center Table with Gilt Highlights
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire Style mahogany round dining room table with gilt highlights, circa 1900. With a round top that opens (No Leaves) gilt decoration on edge of table top, a round central ...
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Empire Style Black lacquer Mirror Table with original mirror
Located in Wichita, KS
This beautiful Antique Empire style table is one of a kind and a stunner. Antique mirror and Black lacquer wood trim. it would make a gorgeous entry table or dining table and so much more. the patina of the mirror is original and truly amazing. To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha Design, scroll down and click on VIEW ALL FROM SELLER. Also follow us to be notified when new items are posted. We also have a brick and mortar...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Maitland Smith French Empire Green Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith attributed French Empire Style Green Lacquer Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining/Center Table. Item features thick round glass, green paint lacquered top with sunburst center and Greek Key border, dark brown and gold pedestal...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood, Lacquer

Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Marble top Demi-Lune Cabinet Commode 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique French Empire flame mahogany, marble top and ormolu mounted demi lune cabinet, circa 1810. The cabinet is fitted with the original mottled black marble top, the demi l...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Console Table of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French Empire console table of fine proportions, featuring a rectangular figured marble top, set upon a frieze of flame mahogany with one long drawer, the drawer with bras...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

French Empire Napoleon III Style Mahogany & Bronze Figural Pier Console Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite French Empire / Napoleon III style mirrored Pier Table, circa 1980s. Made from mahogany and bronze ormolu with a green marble top. The table showcases two figural swan...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Swedish Mahogany Empire Center Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish mahogany Empire center table with one-drawer and brass details, circa 1830.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire 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 Tables

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood

Vtg French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Accent Center Table Brass Gallery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire mahogany pedestal base round accent center table with brass gallery. Item features pierced brass gallery, pedestal base,...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire tables 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 tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tables, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baker Furniture Company, and Grosfeld House. 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 tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $595 and tops out at $26,000 while the average work can sell for $2,675.

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