The Empire style flourished during the reign of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte from 1805-1814.  Napoleon was in love with the sense of his own importance and greatness, and the Empire style reflected this in imposing, lavish pieces made to exacting standards.    He was attracted to the ancient Greco-Roman and Egyptian cultures and borrowed heavily from their imagery for decoration.  Napoleon wanted the world to recognize the greatness of the French, and he achieved this with the Empire style, considered luxury furniture and wildly popular among the upper classes.  The style remained popular throughout the 19th century.

 

The Empire style appeared in French during the early 19th century under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. It drew inspiration from classical motifs and Roman imperial luxury. Empire antiques have a decided focus on symmetry and rich ornamentation.