Empire armchair

Le Empire armchair is a comfortable seat with two armrests and refined fabrics, highlighted by bronze sculptures.

This type of decoration and furnishing lasted throughout Europe for more than twenty years, the period of this style covers the reign of Napoleon I (1-1804). Also called Napoleon I or First Empire in order to differentiate it from the Napoleon III models, which corresponds to the Second Empire of the second half of the 1814th century.

If this style flourished under the reign of Napoleon, it began just after the revolution, at the time of the restoration, cabinetmakers like Jacob wanted lines that contrasted with previous styles. The fittings and curves found a new lease of life in Empire furniture. The decor, both inspired by Louis Philippe, took its marks with the Napoleon model.

An Empire style mahogany armchair

The Empire armchair is a piece of living room furniture made with precious woods, such as mahogany, Amboyna burl and bronze and luxurious accessories. We find the Napoleon era bergères, which are Empire armchairs in cherry wood, with rectilinear structures that oppose the Louis XV style.

The Napoleon style seats are upholstered with fabrics decorated with the emblems of the time, so the fabric that covers the seat and the backrest are embroidered with the emblem of the bee and the eagle, and the fleur-de-lis. Some characteristics differentiate them from the classic models by decorations in the style of the return of Egypt, with lion claws and bronze sphinxes.

The bronze ornaments are gilded or silvered, the feet end in lion claws or hooves, the rear feet are saber-shaped.

Empire period mahogany chairs are generally composed of series, intended for living rooms, which could be composed of a sofa, two armchairs. Our models are reproductions of Empire armchairs in mahogany wood or lacquered wood. We offer them with modern or antique style fabrics.

Empire officers' armchairs with swan necks

The Empire officer's chair is a unique and rare seat, as it was reserved for officers or political figures. The end of the armrests ends in a swan neck shape in gilded and carved wood, they are set back to allow passage for the officers' swords when they sat at their desk. The officer model is often associated with an Empire desk, but also sometimes with an English or Victorian style desk.

Swan-neck empire style armchairs have a flat, rectangular back. The legs often end in claws or bronze sculptures.

Some models have a medallion backrest. The front legs of the furniture are sheathed and finished with claws or hooves. The back legs, for their part, are finished in a sabre.

A replica of an Empire armchair

The replicas of seats presented in our store are made from old seats. The frame is made of mahogany or solid beech in mahogany veneer. The sculptures on the structure, swan neck, lion claws, of the Empire armchair are made by hand. The reproduction of a Napoleon III armchair in our store is made in the old style, hand-upholstered with impeccable finishes. An armchair from our store is as beautiful as an old seat.

The ornamentation is in gilded bronze and the fabrics are inspired by antique seats. Some models are directly inspired by the Return from Egypt style of the Napoleonic era.

You can find pairs of old armchairs to restore on the antique market. When buying an antique, it is advisable to contact a professional. Indeed, he will be able to guarantee the authenticity of your purchase and offer you rare pieces made like the Empire armchair stamped Jacob Paris.

The seats of the time were often used as an empire style office chair in mahogany and mahogany veneer. We also find in the same spirit, pairs of Empire bergères in cherry with sabre legs. Less luxurious model from the end of the 19th century. The reproduction of a seat guarantees to your interior a quality decoration with a new product, they are perfect for a modern or old house.

There are several styles of seats from the Empire period:

• The gondola chair. This seat has a semicircular backrest and a plant-pattern sculpture.
• The swan-neck armchair, mainly decorated with sculptures of sphinxes and swan necks. We also find the seat with armrests with large scrolls, with very architectural shapes. Its legs are finished in a sabre.
• The Empire officer's chair, a seat of excellence, was reserved for the army in officers' offices.
• The shepherdesses inspired by the Louis XV, Louis XVI and baroque styles, reserved for the decoration of living rooms. The Directoire chair and armchair, Napoleon III created the chair of the Second Empire.

The heights of the backrests were between 90 cm and 110 cm. A seat height sufficient for working at a solid mahogany desk.

There are many office chairs with curved backs that end with lion heads at the ends, or cabriolet-type pieces with curved armrests ending with dolphin heads. These can also be used for a desk or a dining room table accompanied by directoire chairs.

Our living room furniture for sale is presented to you with a detailed description. You will find in our store a wide selection of reproductions of Empire furniture, sofas with armrests in the style of the 19th century at the best price. The delivery of your Empire-style armchair will be delivered to you within six working days.