Empire Style Hardware & Bronzes
The grandeur and refinement of the Napoleonic era
Sublime your furniture and interiors with our collection of Empire-style hardware and bronzes faithful to the spirit of this majestic era.
The Empire Style:
Napoleonic Grandeur and Antique Influence
The Empire style was born with the coronation of Napoleon I in 1804 and established itself as the official artistic expression of the First French Empire. Inspired by the Egyptian campaigns and Greco-Roman antiquity, this style embodies power, majesty, and imperial ambition.
The Empire style is distinguished by:
- Straight and symmetrical lines marked by rigor
- Motifs inspired by Antiquity: eagles, sphinxes, palmettes, laurel wreaths
- Egyptian symbols: scarabs, lotus flowers, hieroglyphs
- A generous use of gilded bronze on dark woods (mahogany, ebony)
- A balance between the sobriety of forms and the richness of furniture ornaments
Recognizing Empire Style Furniture
- Massive and architectural shapes: straight lines, rigorous symmetry
- Rectangular structure with marked angles
- Dark woods: flame mahogany, ebony, elm burl
- Gilded bronze fittings: mythological figures, imperial symbols
- Characteristic feet: lion claws, paw feet, columns or sheaths
Recognizing Empire Style Bronzes
Empire-style bronzes are distinguished by their symbolic richness and quality of execution. Each piece of hardware tells a story and contributes to the grandeur of the furniture it adorns.
01. Imperial Symbols
Eagles with spread wings, bees, crowned letter N, stars
02. Antique Motifs
Laurel wreaths, palmettes, lyres, torches, quivers
03. Mythological Figures
Winged Victories, sphinxes, griffins, caryatids, terms
04. Egyptian Motifs
Scarabs, lotus flowers, pharaoh heads, obelisks
05. Animal Figures
Lion paws, lion heads, swans, dolphins
06. Finishes
Mercury gilding, Gold leaf gilding, Patinated bronze, Matte gilded bronze, Burnished gilded bronze
Our Collection of Empire Style Hardware
Our shop in Saint-Ouen, located in the heart of the Antiques District near the Paris Flea Market, brings together more than 2,500 references of period-style hardware and bronzes, including a selection dedicated to the Empire style for furniture, interior fitting, and architecture. Since 1970, we have been supplying cabinetmakers, antique dealers, decorators, and individuals passionate about antique furniture.
Empire Furniture Hardware
Give your Empire furniture the authenticity it deserves with our selection of antique hardware and style bronzes faithful to the Napoleonic era.
Empire Furniture Handles
- Lion mask ring pulls
- Gilt bronze palmette handles
- Empire rosette pulls
- Lion head handles
Empire Keyhole Escutcheons
- Diamond-shaped palmette escutcheons
- Rectangular eagle motif escutcheons
- Oval antique-style key plates
- Laurel wreath framed escutcheons
Empire Mounts & Drops
- Imperial eagle drops
- Sphinx and griffin mounts
- Winged Victory ornaments
- Caryatid corner mounts
Empire Sabots & Rings
- Lion claw sabots
- Paw feet sabots
- Acanthus leaf sabots
- Human foot sabots
- Decorative rings for tapered legs
Empire Rosettes & Appliques
- Radiant star rosettes
- Laurel wreath rosettes
- Antique medallion appliques
- Empire sunburst rosettes
Empire Galleries & Moldings
- Vitruvian scroll galleries
- Greek key moldings
- Interlaced palmette galleries
- Pearl bead moldings
Empire Architectural & Interior Hardware
For your Empire style interior decoration projects and period building renovations, we offer a selection of adapted antique hardware.
- Empire door handles with antique motifs
- Push plates adorned with gilded bronze palmettes and lyres
- Cremone bolts and window accessories from the Napoleonic period
- Empire style wall ornaments
- Decorative elements for woodwork and paneling
Finishes for Your Empire Style Bronzes
All our period-style bronzes can be given a finish suited to the Empire style in our workshop. The Khephren workshop is skilled in all surface treatments, enabling us to faithfully reproduce period finishes or create custom designs according to your wishes.
24-Carat Gilding
Polished Varnished Gold
Polished Varnished Patinated Gold
Light Medal Bronze
Medium Medal Bronze
Dark Medal Bronze
Bright Polished Brass
Satin Polished Brass
Our services for your Empire style projects
Bronze Reproduction
Our bronze artisans master both traditional and modern techniques to create faithful reproductions.
Bronze Restoration
Have your Empire style ornaments lost their luster? The Khephren workshop restores life to your pieces.
Custom Creation
Have a specific project in mind? Our artisans can create custom-made pieces in the purest Empire style.
Frequently Asked Questions about Empire Style Hardware
Which finishes are authentic for Empire style bronzes?
Mercury gilding (or fire gilding) is the most authentic finish of the Empire period. It produces a dense, luminous gold with characteristic matte and gloss variations.
Today, 24-carat gold leaf faithfully reproduces this effect. Brown-green patinated bronze was used for bas-relief backgrounds and contrasts. Our workshop masters these different techniques to restore or reproduce your Empire style bronzes.
Can a missing ornament on an Empire piece of furniture be replaced?
Yes, two options are available for replacing a missing ornament:
- Find an equivalent model among our 2,500 in-store references
- Have the piece reproduced identically from an existing model or a drawing
Our team will advise you on the solution best suited to your furniture and budget. Visit us with your piece or send us photos for an initial assessment.
How to restore tarnished Empire style bronzes?
The restoration of Empire style bronzes involves several steps:
- Delicate cleaning to remove grime without damaging the gilding
- Assessment of the condition of the original gilding
- Partial or complete regilding if necessary
- Patination to harmonize the restored parts
- Protection with a suitable wax or varnish
Warning: Never use household products on gilded antique style bronzes. You risk permanently removing the original gilding. Entrust this work to our specialized workshop.
Is it possible to have Empire style bronzes made to measure?
Yes. Our custom creation service guides you from design to production of personalized Empire style hardware and bronzes:
- Study of your plans, sketches, or existing models
- Advice on the appropriate casting technique
- Artisanal production
- Manual chasing of details
- Application of the desired gilding or patina
We regularly work with cabinetmakers, decorators, and architects on Empire style furniture and interior design projects.
How much does an Empire style hardware restoration cost?
The restoration cost of Empire style bronzes varies depending on several factors:
- The initial condition of the pieces (worn gilding, losses, oxidation)
- The number of pieces to be treated
- The desired surface treatment (complete or partial regilding)
- The complexity of the ornaments and their chasing
Contact us for a free quote. We assess each project individually.
Where to buy Empire style hardware and bronzes in France?
The Khephren shop in Saint-Ouen (93) offers more than 2,500 references of period hardware and bronzes, including a wide Empire selection: lion mask handles, palmette escutcheons, imperial eagle mounts, claw sabots, laurel wreath rosettes…
- Address: 41 rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen (Antiques District, Puces de Saint-Ouen)
- Phone: +33 1 40 11 35 78 / +33 6 21 53 12 79
- Email: khephren.bronzes@outlook.com
Do you ship Empire style hardware and bronzes internationally?
Yes, we ship Empire style hardware and bronzes:
- Metropolitan France: secure shipping
- Europe: Belgium, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy…
- International: USA, Canada, Middle East…
Discover Our Other Styles
Our expertise covers all styles of French furniture. Each era has its codes and characteristic ornaments.
Contact Us
Our team is at your disposal to provide you with all the information you need to carry out your furnishing and layout projects.
- Address: 41 rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen
- Phone: +33 (0)1 40 11 35 78
- Email : khephren.bronzes@outlook.com