American+Empire

AMERICAN EMPIRE The American Empire style of furniture was inspired partially by the style of furniture popular during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. The two styles differ, however. The american style is often more simple than the French Style.

The American Empire style of furniture became popular around the 1800s. During its reign, it was put down by writers as being "heavier and clumsier than . . . [C]olonial furniture . . . more chunky, solid, and bourgeois."

Despite the opinion of these two writers, the style of furniture is often classified as; simple , graceful curves , with dark woods  and veneers .

http://www.vintagedesigns.com/furn/amem/sem/index.htm