An Empire style polished bronze and mahogany seven piece salon suite, Paris, late 19th century, in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter

comprising a settee, two armchairs and four side chairs and fitted with later green and gold silk upholstery

 The founders of le style impérial were the two French architects Percier and Fontaine. Those two architects were searching for a unity of style. Their drawings of monuments, interior decorations, and furnishings were often given to be completed by cabinetmakers and decorators such as Bélange and Jacob-Desmalter from which the present salon suite derives.

Interestingly, the Empire furnishings were conceived of as an entire decorating scheme and were made to fit seamlessly, therefore, their forms were simple. Settees were once again set against the wall as it was during the Louis XIV period. Chairs were also often surrounding a large circular table in the middle of the room.

Empire furniture is striking to the viewer because of its heavy scale and the interesting contrast of the gilt-bronze mounts against the plain mahogany structure.