Empire Furniture Style (1800 - 1815)
The second phase of Neoclassical style in France directly mandated by Napoleon to celebrate his leadership after the French Revolution.
As with the Regency style in England, Empire sought the return of a literal interpretation of ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian furniture designs. It was architecturally massive utilizing rich woods and metal mountings to offset the rectilinear simplicity. Mahogany, rosewood and ebony were the rule with brass or gilt mounts in the form of swags, festoons wreaths and laurel branches.
The Empire style brought a full return to ostentatious richness.
