Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
EMPIRE STYLE
From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
to
25
120
76
191
9
3
Height
to
Width
to
57
153
8
25
7
19
7
16
6
12
6
11
12,852
3,814
1,783
1,427
976
591
566
448
265
203
198
153
126
109
98
92
85
25
1
71
119
12
48
40
12
10
4
16
18
4
6
8
6
1
2
190
145
27
22
20
173
134
27
13
11
203
194
203
9
6
2
1
1
Style: Empire
Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Victory Sconces
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very large and dramatic pair of French Empire style wall sconces in finely chased patinated and gilded bronze. A large winged Victory...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Wall Girdle/Wall Light after Antoine-André Ravrio
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial Empire wall girdle to Antoine-André Ravrio 1759-1814.
Bronze, gilded or partly dark patinated. From acanthus of fullplastic herme / Amor adult with, holding a vase as a car...
Category
20th Century Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair Empire Style Ormolu Sconces, 19 Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Apposing 19th century pair French Empire style ormolu seven light sconces with beautiful details.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of 1940
s French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Elegant pair of French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of 1940's French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
$1,850 / set
Set of Three Antique French Empire Wall Light Sconces 2 Lights torch, France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A nice set of three sconces with 2 light sources, made of bronze in torch styles. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabra bulbs, each up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
A Pair of American Gilt-Bronze Three Light Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gorgeous twisted cornucopia sconces by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. Three scrolling cornucopia supports joined by a scroll form rose with tudor rose style on and off switch, hard...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire Sconces
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Pair of gilt bronze three-arm Empire sconces with leaf detail.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$1,800 / set
Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces, Lyre Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Empire style gilt-bronze two-light lyre sconces
Each pierced stringed lyre-form backplate with the mask of Apollo above two scrolling branches centered by a star over an acorn pendant.
Provenance:
Maison Tisserand, Paris.
C Property from the Estate of Roger Prigent.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Large Pair, Empire Style Sconces, 18-Karat Gold Plate, 3 Lights, Black Shaft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Larger pair of Empire Looking style sconces They are of hi-quality lost wax Bronze castings with fine detailing . With polished 18-karat gold plated finish in Antique. Center sha...
Category
1990s American Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Pair French Empire Figural Bronze Patinated Regency 2 Arm Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of very fine French empire doré bronze and patinated figural women two-arm sconces, rewired with new candelabra sockets and ready to install with supplied mounting b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Set of Eight French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite set of eight French Empire style gilt bronze figural neoclassical wall sconces. Each sconce is structured with a central backplate featuring a prominent male mask, model...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Large Empire Appliqués / Sconces circa 1800, Gilded Linden Wood
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of large Empire appliqués / sconces circa 1800, gilded linden wood
Solid linden wood, gilded two-flame. Carved, gilded. Ribbon, each with a central, fully sculpted eagle sculpt...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal
$4,965 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Seven-Light Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Large pair of French Empire style gilt bronze wall lights.
Surmounted by a classical female figure standing atop an orb and holding butterflies in each hand, above two tier structur...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Giltwood Two-Light Sconces Attributed to E.F Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Empire style giltwood two-light sconces, the backplate in the form of the harvest goddess Ceres, issuing two candle arms, the bottom half in the form of an anthemion, wired...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Giltwood
Extremely Fine Pair of Large 19th C French Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze large two light sconces. Fine Egyptian heads below the candles with a finely cast Eagle at the to...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of gilt and patinated bronze sconces from embellished with winged Victories. Each sconce features four candlestick branches that terminate in lions heads and are intricately scu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$16,614 / set
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
A Pair Of Early C20th Italian Giltwood
Toleware Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
A Fine Pair of Italian Giltwood and Toleware Wall Sconces from the Early 20th Century in the Empire Style.
The sconces are adorned with delicate ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
2 brass and glass Peacock wall-sconces in Hollywood regency style
By OTHR
Located in Zemst, BE
2 wall sconces in brass and glass
Peacock form
Wonderful condition.
Original wiring, that's still ok: ready for use.
Place of origin: Spain
No manufacturer known
Period: mid 1970...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Dore
Patinated Bronze Egyptian Revival 3-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze
Patinated Bronze Egyptian Revival 3-Light Sconces/wall lights
Each wall sconce is constructed with a vertically oriented rectangular backplat...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style gilt bronze sconces
French, 20th Century
Measures: Height 88cm, width 38cm, depth 35cm
This elegant pair of sconces is wrought from gilt bronze in th...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$12,990 / set
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Flower Basket Motif, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice sconces. Each fixture requires a European E14 candelabra bulb, bulb up to 40 watts. Each wall light has a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement. Mad...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$544 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Candle Wall Sconces Candlestick, Italy, 1970s
By Palladio
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of giltwood candlestick wall sconces 1970s in empire style. Each fixture requires two candles. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Carved Italian Giltwood Three-Arm Sconce by Randy Esada Designs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Carved Italian giltwood three-arm sconce by Randy Esada Designs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Empire Style Sconces Wall Lights, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming pair of sconces. Perfect to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an entryway as a charming welcom...
Category
1960s German Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
French Empire Style Crystal and Brass Sconce Wall Light, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable Empire-style sconce features a brass frame draped with crystal glass beading on the top level and three tiers of crystal glass pendants on the bottom.
Two interior ligh...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Set of Three 20th Century NeoClassical Wall Sconces in Gilded Bronze
Located in COLMAR, FR
A set of three bronze wall sconces, made and sourced in France, dating from the 1960s—a period when Hollywood Regency interiors embraced the refined elegance of Neoclassical design. ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire style wall lamps, possibly gilded bronze
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of Empire-style wall lamps, probably gilded bronze.
Good condition.
Thank you.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1930 French Empire Bronze Sconces 1 Light 14”
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1930’s French empire style gilt bronze sconces with swan’s heads, one light
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Pair Italian Heavy Brass Empire Style Candle Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of heavy, un-wired single arm sconces from Florence, Italy. Features a sunburst back plate with concave bowl and eagle-head motif. Masterful casting with wonderful detail. Candle cup measures...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Swan Goose Motif Arms, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice Sconces. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabras bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic stat...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Italian Empire Vase Applique in Gilded Carved Wood Circa 1780
Located in Milano, MI
Gilded Empire Applique Lamp Late 1700s obtained from a carved wooden palm vase gilded in fine gold, converted into a wall sconce for use as a wall lamp. In the back of this lamp one ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Gold Leaf
1900
s French Empire Style Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900' s French Empire style small sconces with two lights
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$2,400 / set
Vintage Boho Empire Bronze Wall Light Sconce
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Empire-style wall sconce is a masterful display of Neoclassical grandeur. Cast in heavy bronze with a rich, weathered finish, the fixture is adorned with tradi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Bronze Bows Crystal Prisms Empire Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light each. Will be rewired with certified US UL sockets for the United States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Bronze detail bows with ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Of Antique Brass Peacock Wall light, Spain, 1960s
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful brass wall lights with crystal glass beads. Manufactured in the 1960s in Europe, Spain.
The lights are in the shape of a peacock. With crystal beads between the b...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of French Brass and Crystal Sconces in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Chicago, IL
These Empire-style sconces showcase a signature element of Maison Jansen lighting: pierced brass encrusted with beaded crystals. This intricate combination of brass and encrusted crystal beads creates a stunning visual effect resembling a glistening, flowing fountain of light.
This meticulous craftsmanship embodies the elegance and sophisticated artistry for which Maison Jansen is famous. Maison Jansen of Paris, a renowned interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French Crystal Prisms Balls Empire Sconces, circa 1930 Sparklers
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze top, middle and bottom with great ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair French Empire Style Brass 2-Arm Sconces, early 20th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having fluted backplates with acanthus leaf details and flames at tops, the backplates issuing two arms with female masks
Category
1910s Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Style Bronze Wall Lights, Quiver Model
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of Empire style wall lights is made of bronze. It represents a Quiver. This is a French work. Circa 1880
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
1930
s French Empire Sconces with Lion
s Head
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French gilt bronze sconces with lion's head and crystal hangings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
1900 French Empire Sconces With Swams
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1900 French Empire sconces with swan's head
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1920
s French Empire Black Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1920's empire style sconces with Blackmoore putti.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
Pair of Bronze Crossed Arrows Wall Sconces
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of bronze wall sconces present a chiseled macarrons with two crossed arrows. This is a French work in the Empire style. Circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Tall Bronze Sconces with Quiver, Arrow and Eagleheads. Circa 1920
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of tall wall sconces is made of bronze. The wall lights are decorated with a quiver, an arrow and eagleheads. This is a French work in the Empire style. Circa 1920
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$1,851 Sale Price
20% Off
Pr. 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze "Lions Head" Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues. Very highly detailed and ultra high quality. French Estate.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,180 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Vintage Carved Wall Sconce Empire Gilded Metal
Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage single sconce in the Empire style from Italy, circa 1950s.
Made of wood and gilded metal with decorative trim and mirror inserts. Decorated in a floral style. A cylindrical ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
$3,987 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1920 Empire Bronze Swam Sconces 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1920’s gilt bronze French Empire sconces with swam head holding a ring with 3 lights
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$6,800 / set
1900
s French Empire Arrow Gold and Black Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's French Empire style double light arrow sconces
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
1930s Empire Gilt Bronze Swan Head Sconces three lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930’s gilt bronze sconces with swan’s head and three lights
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of late 19th Century French Empire sconces with cherubs body, two lights. originally for candles, newly rewired for US
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
1920s Caldwell Bronze Medusa Head Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s sconces with medusa head and arrow design. Two lights
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
1930
s French Empire 4 Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1930's French Empire 4 Lights Sconces
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
1930’s French Empire Style Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930’s French empire style sconces with swan atop and on arms
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Empire wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall lights and sconces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire wall lights and sconces made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall lights and sconces, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Edward F. Caldwell
Co., Maison Baguès, and Niermann Weeks. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for wall lights and sconces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $227 and tops out at $87,500 while the average work can sell for $3,200.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Chippendale Mahogany Secretary Desk
Chippendale Tiger Maple
Cobalt Red Glass
Compact Cigarette Case
Copper Dog
Copper Pots And Pans
Corner Antique China Cabinet
Coustou Bronze Marly Horse
Deer Screen
Demon Statue
Desk With Hidden
Display Case With Drawers
Dog Bank
Donkey Ceramic
Dorothy Thorpe Etched
Dragon Charger
Drexel Chinoiserie Cabinet
Dutch Floral Marquetry