Empire Lighting
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
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Four Sweeping Arms Candlestick/Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Monumental candelabra in Empire style.
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
(T-Ra-14).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Pair of French Large Bronze Empire Regency Lady Figural Tassel Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French doré bronze Regency neoclassical lady figural three-light Empire large tassel wall sconces these sconces have completely...
Category
1910s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Brass Mounted Leather Table Lamp
Located in Vista, CA
Empire Style brass-mounted Tooled Leather Table Lamp, 20th century columnar standard on pedestal with guilloche gilt borders, marbleized shade, and ...
Category
20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Leather
Russian Cut-Glass, Ormolu, and Blue Porcelain Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Russian cut-glass, ormolu, and blue porcelain chandelier
Russian, 19th Century
Height 120cm, diameter 90cm
This stunning Russian chandelier brings together vibrant turquoise porcela...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
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 central round pla...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Sconces, Circa 1830-1850.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Museum Quality Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Sconces, Circa 1830-1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine and Decorative Bronze Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and decorative bronze chandelier. Oval center issuing six U-shaped arms, central rod ornated with ram's heads. 6-light, France, circa 1900
Dimensions: Height 39" x diameter 3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Empire Style Porcelain and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning true pair of French 19th century Empire st. porcelain and ormolu lamps. Each elegant lamp is raised by a fine circular or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Alabaster And Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Alabaster and Ormolu chandelier. This four arm eight light chandelier is centered by a striking foliate acorn shaped Or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Gold Gilt Empire Style Lamp
Located in Tampa, FL
A single gold gilt lamp in the Empire style. It is very nicely gilded and at the bottom has company name. The lamp has the original plugs, socket and ha...
Category
1940s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire style pair of gilt bronze sconces with 5 lights. A classic pair in the colors of gold and black. Very nice!.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,180 / set
20th Century Empire Style Bronze Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and silvered bronze. Full plasticised, masculine historical Egyptian representation.
(T-Mr-20-Bas).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Second Empire Three-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Montreal, QC
These good quality sconces in mat black and gilt bronze are pierced with scrolls and flower heads and with drip pans and arms cast with stylized acanthus. The two-tone gilding and ha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Tole Bouillotte Candlestick Lamp from France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1860s French Bouillotte lamp featuring three candlesticks with brackets and a golden taupe tole shade accented by a decorative teal floral border. Bouillotte is a gambling card ...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
20th Century Empire Style Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and casted bronze. Full plasticized, feminine historical Egyptian representation.
(T-Mr-21-Bp).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire-Style Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Gilt and patinated bronze Empire-style wall lights
French, Early 20th century
Height 35cm, width 36cm, depth 20cm
This pair of wall lights or sconces are modeled in the opulent...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century, Empire Style Silvered Ceiling Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, silvered. Finely engraved. Bell shaped, traffic-light styled corpus.
(F-Ra-25).
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
20th Century Empire Style French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Three stylized horn-formed rolling candlesticks.
(T-Mr-14-Bas).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and cut crystal chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi with eight lights.
This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabra with Caryatids
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Empire bronze and marble candelabra with three branches each. The lights are supported by bronze caryatids with dark brown patina, who are dressed in long tunics à l’antique ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Wall Sconces attributed to Caldwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Bronze & Crystal Wall Sconces, each having a pierced anthemion backplates, demi lume corona with three lights above a band of square and kite shaped prisms & steel liner. US...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$4,250 / set
19th Century French Empire Ormolu Chandelier With Trumpet Light Fittings, c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French Empire style ormolu bronze chandelier fitted with an allegory of trumpets. The item has been converted to accommodate modern day lightbulbs.
CONDITION...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu chandelier. This exceptional four arm eight light circular chandelier is centered by an Ormolu acorn bottom f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Set of Four Empire Style Ten-Branch Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
Set of four Empire style ten-branch gilt bronze sconces
French, circa 1890
Measures: Height 56cm, width 40cm, depth 32cm
Each of the sconces in this set of four is crafted from ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Alabaster and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. alabaster and ormolu chandelier. The nine arm twelve light chandelier is centered by a striking foliate acorn shaped or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Bronze and Ormolu Seven-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu seven light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine ormolu acorn inverted finial below a richly chased base with most decorative foliate patterns in a striking satin and burnished finish. Each of the six scrolled ormolu arms display fine foliate chasing and candle cups, with rich foliate reserves at the rim. Three ormolu supports...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Laudarte Grifone Empire Style Wall Lights, Ancient Gold 24k
By Laudarte Srl
Located in Southall, GB
Grifone is an Italian Classic wall sconce made with two lights, designed by Giovanni Maria Ma in the empire style, bronze with ancient gold 24k finish, marble and malachite inserts. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Malachite, Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Brown Painted Metal and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style brown painted metal and gilt bronze chandelier.
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Height 60cm, diameter 67cm
This unusual chandelier is crafted f...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This precious Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features many finely hand chiseled details. This model is typical of French Empire period due to ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold, Bronze
French Empire Influenced Chandelier, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French Empire influenced chandelier, having a coronet with chains hanging down to the chandelier that has twelve branch sconces each with swan heads, a fl...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Painted and Gilt Metal Sconce
Located in London, GB
Empire style painted and gilt metal sconce
French, 20th century
measures: Height 34cm, width 26cm, depth 17cm
This elegant sconce is crafted in the Empire style. The sconce feat...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
A very fine Gilt
Enameled Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Empire style chandelier. Gilt and enameled bronze.
France, circa 1910. 4-light
Dimensions: Height 34", diameter 18".
CW3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt and painted bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring 8 swans carrying stylized candle cups. All original.
Measures: Height 37", width 26", 8-light
CW4449.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This unusual chandelier is designed in the Empire style from gilt and patinated bronze in the form of an ancient Roman terracotta or earthenwa...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely French 19th century Empire st. verdigris patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The patinated bronze base is decorated with an ormolu inverted finial and acanthus leaves an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair Antique French Empire Bronze D
ore Wall-Lights, circa 1830-1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique bronze D'ore French Empire wall-lights, circa 1830-1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Lantern Form Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb Louis WVI style lantern. Two toned patinated bronze, with curved glass panels. 3-light,
France, circa 1900.
Apparently unmarked. Measures: Height 42", diameter 19".
Pair ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$18,750 / item
Fine Pair of Empire Patinated
Gilt Bronze Candelabre, Mounted as Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine pair of empire patinated & gilt bronze
Candelabre, mounted as lamps
1st quarter of the 19th century
Each reeded stem above drum base relief-cast with four putti on leaf-b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of French turn of the century woos sconces ( Empire style )
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of French wood sconces, Empire style, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine silver over bronze hand carved alabaster pendant, France, circa 1930.
Dimensions: Height 39 1/2", diameter 22"
CW3329.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
$7,450
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Six-Arm Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. six arm ormolu sconces. Each sconce displays a most decorative circular mottled back plate with charming and finely detailed flo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Empire-style apliques in burnished and gilded bronze
Located in Milano, IT
Two gold-leafed and darkened Empire apliques, from whose circular base the three arms emerge. They are not signed but considering the quality they are certainly by a good foundry cra...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Gilded, Mirrored, Period Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of period, hand carved, gessoed, and 22-karat gold gilded, Second Empire, French sconces. Each with gilt bronze arms, and inset with original, mercury glass mirrors. Each with...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$6,850 / set
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Chandelier
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine early 19th century Swedish five-light crystal chandelier. The rim supporting four candle branches and a central candle nozzle above a tiered base hung with glass lustres, conn...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Bronze Splendor Wall Appliqués / Sconces, Paris, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of bronze splendor wall appliqués / sconces, Paris, 19th century
Fire gilded bronze. Five-flame frame for candles with rocaille and rosettes in relief. Colorless glass prism ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$24,176 Sale Price
20% Off
Noble 20th Century in Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and antique silvered. Columns as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
(T-Ra-11).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Bronze Casted Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and casted Bronze. Full plasticised, masculine historical Egyptian representation.
(T-Mr-20-Bp).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Three Claw-Feet French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times structured, fluted column-shaft.
(T-Mr-15-Bp).
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Basket Applique or Wall Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic basket applique in the Empire style.
Extremely finely chased and cast bronze. The basket-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prisms is connected by a broad, ornamental...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Wall Sconces, Circa 1900
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire gold bronze wall sconces, Circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Gold and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
These patinated sconces are handsome, with their floral and eagle decorations. They make a strong statement while being modestly sized.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Superb Antique Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Multi Light Chandelier of Exquisite Detail Embellished with Cut Crystal Prisms and Chains, Circa 1810.
The chandelier features an...
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Price Upon Request
Large Antique, French Empire Style, Neoclassical Silvered Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large antique French Empire-style neoclassical chandelier in silvered bronze. The chandelier is suspended from a crown-shaped canopy decorated with acanthus leaves and laurel bands...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Edward F. Caldwell
Co., Alexandre Vossion, and Maison Baguès. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $194 and tops out at $220,000 while the average work can sell for $4,434.
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