Empire Furniture: A Nod to Style and French Politics
Be transported to the time of French royalty with empire furniture. These furnishings, which graced the home of Napoleon I, is sure to give any homeowner a taste of luxury and class.
The empire style, often recognized as the second phase of Neoclassicism, is a design movement that became prevalent in Europe and America from the early part of the 19th century until about 1830. The movement included architecture, visual arts, furniture design and others. The style, as well as the name, originated from the First French Empire, the time when Napoleon I ruled France. The style was a remarkable contrast to the ostentatious style that preceded it: it was referred to as ‘liberated’ and ‘enlightened,’ adjectives which described how Napoleon changed the European people. One of the things that were significantly influenced by the style, as the name suggests, is empire furniture.
Empire furniture have evolved from furnishings that had the Directoire style. The Directoire style furniture were characterized with minimal carving and highly grained veneers, and the empire style evolved from that. Empire style furnishings are marked by clear-cut silhouettes, and there is always symmetry in decoration. During this time, furniture were massive and highly architectural. The staple wood was mahogany, as well as rosewood and ebony, used both as solid or veneer. These heavy wood pieces are further decorated with trim, either brass or bronze. Gilt stenciling was also widespread in these pieces.
Popular empire furniture included the empire bed. In early 19th century France, this piece was rather typical: it is a low level item, usually set against the wall or in an alcove with one side exposed. It has curved sweeping ends that serve as headboard and footboard. This kind of bed and other empire furniture are available in antique stores and online antique suppliers.
About the Author
If you are passionate about Empire Furniture or you just want to buy antique pieces for your home or office, you may want to check out our current catalog of antique furniture on our website: http://MaineAntiqueFurniture.com
American Empire Antiques for Sale
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Evriholder Corn Cobber Kernel Remover $0.65 Enjoy fresh, succulent corn anytime with CornCobbR’™. It safely and easily cuts the kernels right off the cob. Great for summer salads and barbecues! Plastic/metal with easy-grip handle. Dishwasher safe. 6 3/4″L x 2″W…. |
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Fine English Bone China Dinner Plate – Red Poppy Chintz $19.95 This lovely plate just feels right in your hand, the quality can be felt just as easily as it can be seen. It features an eye-popping red poppy chintz design beautifully rendered on fine English Bone China! Made by Empire Ware, Stoke-on-Trent, England and imported by Magpie Imports, this generously sized dinner plate measures 10.5″ in diameter… |
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Fine English Bone China Mug – Set of Two – Catherine Rose Chintz – Made in England The finish on these lovely bone china mugs is so smooth they actually feel soft in your hand. If you have not ever sipped from a fine bone china mug you are in for a treat. Brilliant red roses are the centerpiece of these stunning Catherine Rose Chintz mugs. Generously sized they each stand 4.5″ tall and measure 3.5″ in diameter at the top opening…. |
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Music From Ancient Rome vol. 1 $8.99 … |
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Synaulia – Music from Ancient Rome, Vol. 1: Wind Instruments $19.95 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Romantic Brass: Music of France & Spain $10.23 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Gladiator (Two-Disc Collector’s Edition) $7.99 Winner of Best Picture and Best Actor Academy Awards, director Ridley Scott’s stirring “sword and sandal” spectacle stars Russell Crowe as heroic Roman general Maximus. When ailing emperor Richard Harris chooses Crowe to succeed him, his scheming son, Joaquin Phoenix, learns of the plans and orders Crowe and his family killed. Left for dead and sold into slavery, Crowe emerges as the empire’s grea… |
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Get Shorty $2.44 John Travolta is a slick loan shark from Miami whose search for a dry cleaner who took $300,000 in mob money leads him to Hollywood and debt-ridden “B” movie producer Gene Hackman. The two try to make a movie together while battling crooks, creeps and arrogant actors. Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, Dennis Farina, Delroy Lindo and Bette Midler co-star in this terrific Elmore Leonard story. 105 min. Stan… |
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Druids $4.85 In this historical epic set in 60 B.C., Christopher Lambert is Vercingetorix, a peaceful Gallic military leader who is protective of a group of Druids on the Celtic Isles. When Julius Caesar and his Roman legions declare war, Lambert is forced into action, as he reunites with a former love and prepares for the battle of his life. Klaus Maria Brandauer, Max von Sydow and Ines Sastre star. AKA: “Ver… |
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Empire Silver Sterling Girls Comb & Brush Set W/Bead Border $145.00 Girls Comb and Brush Set With Bead Border Features: Oval Shape with Bead Design. Nylon Bristle brush. Comes Gift Boxed. Dimensions: Length 5 3/4″; Width 1 5/8″…. |
