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.
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Style: Empire
1930s French Empire Three lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930’s French empire gilt metal 3 lights sconces with swans head, original gilding and patina
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$4,200 / set
Late 19th Century French Empire Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire style sconces with one light. Price per pair
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French Empire gilt bronze small sconces. Unusual design with woman holding balls
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$4,400 / set
1930
s French Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1930 French Empire style sconces
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$2,800 / set
1920’s Caldwell Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell Empire style sconces with arrow design
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1930
s French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with Ram's heads.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
1900
s French Empire Sconces With Swans three lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900's French empire style bronze sconces with swans and three lights
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
1930’s French Empire Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930 French empire style three lights sconces with swan heads
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous two lights wall light in pink lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970' and then left in...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
$1,993 Sale Price
20% Off
1930
s French Gilt Bronze Triangle Shape Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with triangle shape
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920s French Empire Sconces with 3 lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large French empire style sconces with 3 lights
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Italian Empire Wall Sconces, circa 1950
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Gilded empire style wall sconces in the shape of ribbons cast in solid bronze with inlaid hand painted porcelain decor. Produced in the 1950s. Comes with lime green lamp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$415 / item
Pair of 1960s French "Bastille Day" Painted Tole Wall Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant pair of 1960s French "Bastille Day" sconces in painted tole tinwork, in the style of Maison Baguès. The bundle of rods at the center reference the ancient Roman symbol of the...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Tin
Niermann Weeks Empire Style Large Crystals and Metal Wall Sconce or Lantern
Located in Plainview, NY
An elegant iron and crystal wall sconce or lantern by Niermann Weeks. The sconce is made of solid metal and crystals in a timeless Empire style fashion. The sconce features a plume c...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Iron
$2,560 Sale Price
32% Off
Italy 1970 Pair Post-Modern Brass 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 by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
$3,417 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of French Crystal and Brass Sconces in the Style 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, a renowned Parisian interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair (2) of Unique French Sconces, Gilt Bronze, Paris, 20th
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair (2) of Unique French Sconces, Gilt Bronze, Paris, 20th Century Wall sconces looking at each other. Solid bronze/brass, finely chased and gilded. Extremely decorative wall sconce...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair of Antique Empire-Style Cast Metal Sconces
Located in Sheffield, MA
The defining feature of this pair of antique Napoleon Empire-style lighting fixtures are the vertical arrows "shot through" the backs of the gilt cast metal sconces. Each piece has a...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Waldorf Astoria Brass
Crystal Empire Wall Sconce Qty Available
Located in New York, NY
Large scale 20th Century brass and crystal Empire style wall sconces. These were retrieved from the Vanderbilt Room which was located off the right side of the main lobby entrance on...
Category
20th Century Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Crystal and Bronze Sconces, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of gilt bronze and crystal 1930s or older, waterfall sconces in empire style. Each fixture requires three European E14 candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall light...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Metal
19th C, Style Empire Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite Wall Sconce
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th C style empire black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite wall sconce
Priced Each.
Additional information:
Materials: bronze
Color: Black
Period: 2010s
Styles: Empire, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze, Metal
$1,160 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair Of Antique Gilt Bronze Empire Style Wall Sconces With Swan Support
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Exceptional pair of French Bronze Swan form wall sconces Large tall and heavy bronze sconces. The backs in the form of arrows at the bottom with bow wrapped shafts above and palmette...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Doré Wall Sconce
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 19th century bronze doré wall sconce with lion head on back plate and 3 griffin arms.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Bronze and Green Empire Wall Lights with Beige/Green Shades
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair of bronze and green Empire wall lights with beige/green shades.
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
19th century French Gilt Bronze 4 Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Circa late 19 century French gilt bronze sconces with 4 lights. Unusual design of arms and lights
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Two-Light Wall Torchère Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of French empire style gilt-bronze two-light wall torchère sconces. Each elongated gilt-bronze applique with central twin-tassels supporting a pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$5,950 Sale Price / set
63% Off
Pair Signed E F. Caldwell Neo-Classical Style Bronze Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of signed Caldwell bronze sconces are in the neo-classical style. They feature Antique motifs including anthemion, and leopard heads.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Wall Lights in Gilded and Patinated Bronze.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Empire style wall lights in gilded and patinated bronze, early 20th century.
Pair of Empire style wall lights from the early 20th century in gilded and patinated bronze.
H: ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Heavy Cast Bronze Empire Wall Sconce w 3 Lights Quantity Available
Located in New York, NY
Heavy cast bronze three light sconce done in an Empire style. Small quantity available at time of posting. Priced each. Please inquire. Please note, this item is located in our Scran...
Category
Early 2000s Argentine Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of French Empire Revival Bronze Two Light Wall Sconce
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire Revival wall sconce with a torch like design having two scroll form arms and flame finial top (PRICED AS PAIR )
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Two French Empire, Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces, circa 1860
Located in Baltimore, MD
Two, exceptional pairs of 19th century 3-arm gas sconces featuring Horn-shaped arms ornamented with anthemions and terminating in urn form candle cups with swags. Sconce body depicts...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Second Empire Heavy 2 Light Bronze Sconces Wall Lights Late 19th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of second Empire heavy 2 light solid polished bronze dore sconces, light fixture, wall lamps from the late 19th century.
Depict face motif in the middle a...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
An Outstanding 1950
s Italian Cross Sword and Gilt Rope Tassel Wall Light
Located in Hastings, GB
An extremely rare and incredibly ornate Italian wall light, dating to the 1950's, in the empire style and modeled as a pair of crossed swords, in gilt and silver gilt, decorated with...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Vintage Sconces Two Wall Lights Gold Bronze Crystal Drops Beads, France, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage sconces bronze with gilding, crystal from France, mid-20th century, each with two lamps, very beautiful and festive!
The crystal droplets are stunning, different shapes and...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Empire 2 Arm Brass Crystal Candelabra Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
These pieces were acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. Pair of two arm Empire style wall sconces with a brushed brass frame and icicle shaped and draped faceted...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Vintage Pair Of Wall Lights, Circa 1960 in Chiseled and Gilded Bronze, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An elegant Pair Of Louis XVI style Wall Lights Circa 1960 in finely chiseled and gilded bronze with two light arms.
Fake opaline candles.
Manufactured in France, 1960s.
They're op...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style bronze 5-arm wall sconces with swan top and double ball design (19th century).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$9,800 / set
Wonderful Pair French Neoclassical Empire Bronze Figural 5-Arm Regency Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French neoclassical / empire bronze figural masks, 5-arm regency wall sconces.
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Wood and Lacquer Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) giltwood and black lacquer wall sconces with four arms and figural winged ladies (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Wood
Empire Design of Lady Face Sconces Gold Dore
Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast in bronze with real 18K gold Dore' finish. Contemporary hi-quality castings in fine details. From the original French pair. Look fantastic on the wall a...
Category
1990s North American Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces in the Empire taste. Great Detail.
Original gilding. France, circa 1900. 2 lights each
Dimensions: Height 24" (excluding candles) Width...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
1920 Caldwell Gilt Bronze Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of 1920's Caldwell Empire style bronze double light sconces
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
Beautiful Double-Armed Wall Sconce Empire Style Vintage Wall Lamp, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Lumalux Paris brass wall lamp in the Empire style.
Manufactured in France.
It features bright gold and green enamel finishes.
The light ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
A Pair of Early 19th Century French Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of early 19th Century French tole sconces. Converted from oil lamps with classical gilt figures and Directoire imagery. Circa 1820s.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
$5,200 / set
Pair of Empire Style Wall Lights
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very nice pair of chiseled bronze wall lights with very beautiful Empire style gilding from the beginning of the 20th century
Circular hook with lion mask holding in its mouth a f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$1,424 / set
Pair of Italian Empire Style Brass Scones or Wall Lights 1970
Located in Rome, IT
with Three stylized, full horn-formed, finely chiselled light arms centered by a lion mask.
Perfect condition , three E14 light bulbs.
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
$2,563 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of Four Empire Style Three-Light Wall Sconces, Gilt and Patinated
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four French Empire style cast bronze three-arm wall sconces. The
oval cast gilt bronze back plate, with stylized acanthus leaf design, supporting a gilt banded dark patinated...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Two-Arm Empire-Style Bronze Sconces with Urn and Swag Detail
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful pair of Empire-style bronze sconces from France, circa 1910. Features an urn with swag motif with a beautiful patina and excellent detailed casting. Newly wired in the US ...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Important First Empire Period Ormolu Sconces
By Percier
Fontaine
Located in Essex, MA
Period ormolu sconces in First Empire, imperial Russian, realistic lion mask form
--Percier and fontaine designed lion mask being impaled by th...
Category
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Brass Sconces, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of French Empire three-light brass sconces with lion faces, converted to electric.
Recently restored, having wax candle sleeves and holding chandelier size light bulbs.
Fran...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair Antique French Empire Bronze D
Ore and Crystal Wall Sconces, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire bronze d' ore and crystal wall sconces, circa 1890.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Wall Light Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Decorative wall light in Empire style.
Finely engraved and cast bronze. Three stylized, full horn-formed, sweeping light arms.
(F-Sam-1).
Category
20th Century Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Period First Empire Patinated Bronze and Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
Magnificent pair of French 19th century Period First Empire round patinated bronze and bronze three light sconces with bronze candle cups of acanthus leaves, adorned with feathers, b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Large French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Sconce Attributed to Thomire
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly unusual large scale single French Empire wall sconce, the bronze having the finest chasing and gilding ever produced. A winged cupi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Sconces Empire Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of gilt bronze sconces Empire style.
Swans and fantastic animals design.
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
$2,848 / set
Wall Sconces Pair Empire Style
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A PAIR OF VINTAGE, EMPIRE STYLE, GILDED & BLACK METAL WALL SCONCES, WITH TWO ARMS
- Striking, simple form accentuated by the contrast betwe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
$2,735 / set
Two Empire wall sconces. Bronze, Glass, France, circa 1900
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of appliques. Bronze, glass. Empire style, France, circa 1900.
Both are practically the same, each wall light has three points of light and a decoration and lines that respond...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze, Other
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques
Located in IT
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques
This particular pair of appliques, in chiseled and gilded bronze, dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century. Made ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Empire Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th century) bronze wall sconces with 5 arms, swan tops and a double ball design (Priced as pair).
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, 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.
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