French Empire Decorative Arts: Grandeur in the Napoleonic Era

8 products

8 products
Pair of large gilt Empire vases with swan handles and green japanning by Collection EE20 circa 1820 Italy
Pair of large gilt Empire vases with swan handles on stepped plinths in original condition by Collection EE20
Pair of Parcel Gilt Empire Vases
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror - Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror - Nicholas Wells Antiques
19th Century Rectangular French Empire Gilt Frame Mirror
Early 19th Century Berlin Mahogany Armoire - Nicholas Wells Antiques
Early 19th Century Berlin Mahogany Armoire - Nicholas Wells Antiques
Early 19th Century Berlin Mahogany Armoire
Pair of Bronze and Ormolu Candlesticks
Pair of Charles X cut glass and gilt bronze vases with swan neck handles from Collection CK20 circa 1825 France
Close-up of Charles X crystal vase with ornate gilt bronze swan handle from Collection CK20
Pair of Charles X Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases
Red Tole Charles X Bullseye Wall Clock with gilt vine detail and enamel dial by Collection TH20
A Red Tole Charles X Bullseye Wall Clock
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Baccarat Cut Glass Column Lamp | Early 19th Century
£POA
Empire Italian Silver Dressing Mirror
£POA

The Empire period of French decorative arts—also known as the Napoleonic era—spanned from 1804 to 1815 during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. Marked by opulence and authority, this style revived classical themes drawn from ancient Greece and Rome, integrating motifs such as laurel wreaths, eagles, sphinxes, and other imperial symbols across furniture, textiles, and ornamental objects. The Empire period followed the Directoire / Consulate period.  

Established as a visual expression of political power, Empire style embraced grandeur and symmetry. Furniture and decorative pieces were crafted from luxurious materials such as mahogany, bronze, and ormolu (gilt bronze), and characterised by bold forms, strong architectural lines, and geometric clarity. Military emblems—including swords, helmets, and winged figures—added a sense of command and victory, echoing Napoleon’s ambition.

Notable artisans and designers of the Empire period include:

  • Pierre-Philippe Thomire: Renowned for his exquisite bronze work in furniture and objets d’art
  • Charles Percier & Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine: Influential architects and interior designers behind key imperial commissions, including the Louvre Palace and the Arc de Triomphe

The Empire style was more than decoration—it was propaganda in wood, metal, and marble, reflecting a nation’s identity and its ruler’s legacy. Its influence remains enduring in design history, celebrated for its balance of classical inspiration and political bravado.
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