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
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze.
This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps.
Originates France, circa 1870.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,144 Sale Price / set
28% Off
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa late 19th century French Empire sconces with eagle's heads and woman's faces. Original finish and patina, *8 available
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Sixteen-Light Chandelier, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Magnificent and impressive Empire-style bronze and alabaster sixteen-light chandelier from the late 19th century; later has been electrified. The circular ring with four large majest...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
French Empire Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 20th century bronze doré 2 swan arm round base bouillotte table lamp with oval green tole shade.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
This chandelier is lavishly draped in fine quality sparkle crystals. The Maria Theresa chandelier was named after the Archduchess of Austria who was the Empress of the...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Antique French Empire Style Figural Black
Gold Tall Column Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Figural Black & Gold Tall Column Form Table Lamps with Figural Ormolu on all Sides of the Bases (Harps, Maidens, and Soldiers) - a Pair. Circa Early 20th ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Cleaned and restored. Small quantity available at time of posting. Please inquire. Priced each. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Steel
Rare French Blue Opaline Glass Lamp Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of rare French Opaline Glass lamps. Each lam features an elegant urn shaped silhouette with a smooth, high gloss finish that beautifully reflects light. The bases and...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Pair of Gold Wall Mirrors Candle Holders
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Pair of Empire Candle Sconce Wall Mirrors featuring carved harps as well as trompets. These wall mounted candle holders make a great addition to any living room, bedroom, ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood, Paint
Two French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These two sconces have been crafted in the Empire style, which was popularised by the French Emperor, Napoleon I. The Empire style is characterised by its grandeur and use of opulent...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$13,135 / set
Large Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large antique French Empire-style gilt bronze and patinated bronze chandelier. The chandelier is circular in form, designed with a broad corona supporting twelve lights arranged in...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Balustrade Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
Great looking pair of shaped column form on round base. Made of antique cast stone balustrade from French Chateau. Lamps comes with Belgium linen shades. Lamp sockets are two differ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Cast Stone
$4,500 / set
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$9,046 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Antique French Empire Nickel Silver Glass Corinthian Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Nickel Silver Etched Glass Corinthian Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H (to finial) x 21" H (to light socket) x 5.5" W ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair Of French Faceted Flower Decorated and Signed Opaline Table Lamps
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of antique French faceted flower decorated and signed opaline table lamps
These are 19th century oil lamps converted it electrified table lamps.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Opaline Glass
$912 Sale Price
73% Off
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$2,201 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style bouillotte table lamp with decorative three-light cast brass candleholders and adjustable height red tôle shade. New candle covers. Wired and in working order. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Tôle
Mid Century French Empire Style Red
Gold Tole Metal Student Floor Lamp 57"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa mid 20th century metal tole ware student floor lamp - painted red with gold accents and floral / foliate border on the shade. Metal shade rests on a waffle textured milk glass ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each stunning candlestick mounted into a lamp is raised on four Ormolu lion paws below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Six-Light Bowl Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful bowl chandelier is designed in the Empire style, which flourished in France in the period 1804-14, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor. The style is defined as a phase...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Five-Arm Gilt Bronze Wall Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) French empire style wall light sconces with five electrified candle arms and wiring.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Palatial Bronze and Steel French Empire Style Torchieres Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of palatial vintage torchiere floor lamps in the French empire style, finely crafted from gilt and patinated bronze and steel. Each with a circular shallow dish-form basin fitt...
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Vintage French Empire Style Polished Brown Marble Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Polished Brown Marble Urn Form Table Lamps with Beautiful Veins - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H (to finial) x 22" H (to light socke...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble
20th Century French Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century French Crystal Chandelier. Empire style bronze and crystal chandelier with new wiring. 4 lights
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$6,650 / item
Empire Table Lamp Cut Crystal Diamond Pattern Gilded Bronze
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large and rare Empire style table lamp, made of cut crystal and gilded bronze and brass, dating from around the beginning of the 20th century, France.
This very high quality table l...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A mid to late 19th century Swedish empire chandelier with cobalt glass inset and crystal hanging
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in London, GB
Designed to mimic the appearance of a star-studded celestial globe, theses Empire style chandeliers are simultaneously charming and outstandingly beautiful. Each chandelier is design...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Metal, Bronze
$24,888 / set
Gilded Bronze Empire Floor lamp France 1950s
By Claude Galle
Located in Den Haag, NL
Superb Gilded Bronze France Empire floor lamp ,Exceptional casting
take a look at her beathiful bronze feet . Very nice quality lamp .
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Rare Fine Quality Brass and Iron Lyre Form French Empire Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Illuminate your space with the grandeur of this rare and exquisite French Empire chandelier, crafted in a striking lyre form design. This fine quality chandelier combines brass and i...
Category
1880s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Russian 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most impressive Russian 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu eighteen light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine inverted bottom finial w...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 1st Empire Dore Bronze Mtd. 5-Arm Mirrored Sconces, Att. Thomire
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of French 1st Empire Period Dore bronze mounted five-arm sconces/mirrors, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Each mirrored sconce is of octagonal form with a b...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Figural Gilt
Patina Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Multi-Light Figural Chandeliers.
Each circular chandelier features an ebonized bronze body surmounted by candle-form lights held aloft by gilt bronze winged female figures modeled in the neoclassical manner. The figures kneel gracefully with outstretched arms. Between them, scrolling mounts extend from the circular frame, their terminals finished with acanthus and foliate motifs.
The gilt bronze elements are finely cast and chased, showing the characteristic Empire emphasis on mythological and classical ornamentation. Each chandelier is suspended from a circular crown...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu
Patinated Bronze Figural Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A grand and finely cast pair of French Empire style ormolu and patinated bronze three-arm figural wall sconces. Each sconce centers on a striking classical maiden, beautifully render...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
1920
s French Empire Single Light Swan Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light sconces with Swan’s head
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,800 / set
Antique French Empire Cobalt Blue Porcelain Figural Gilt Bronze Urn Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Deep Cobalt Blue Figural Gilt Bronze Porcelain Urn Form Table Lamp with Lion Head Rings. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 31" H (to finial) x 23" H (to li...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Cast Brass Dual Arm Wall Sconces, pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of French Empire Style casted brass wall sconces, each sconce features 2 arms each powered by 25w E12 chandelier bulb. These classic-styled scones work well in Victorian-styled ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Scarce French Empire Period Opaline Glass Brass Candlestick Table Lamp Pair
Located in Forney, TX
Elegant sophistication at its finest, we present this exceptionally rare pair of early 19th century fine quality French Empire Period candlestick lamps.
The original antique table lamps complete, with clear and frosted glass lotus hurricane shades, patinated gilt bronze leaf decorative accents, inner spring-loaded brass column candle tubes, within white opaline glass stems, resting on beautifully patinated brass and iron circular base. circa 1810; France
PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION
Property from the Collection of Pat and Michael York
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Heritage Auctions...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Empire Green Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th Century French empire style double lights sconces, green patinated bronze.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Romantic Italian Empire Style Iron and Frosted Glass Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic Empire style iron and frosted glass chandelier having delicate draping necklaces of glass and 6 arms.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Iron
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps with Paw Feet and Lion Heads - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 17.5" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
1930
s French Empire Silver Plated Chandelier with 6 lights
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French silver plated finish empire style chandelier with 6 lights
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Bronze Dolphin
Swan Green Tole Large Bouillotte Empire Regency Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Bronze Dolphin & Swan 4 Candelabra Light Painted Green Tole Metal Shade Large Bouillotte Empire / Regency Style Lamp
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Ten-Light Crystal Chandelier / Gilt Brass Frame
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 19th century French Empire style tear drop cut crystal / brass frame twelve light hanging chandelier. The chandelier is in great working condition. Rewired for US used. no speci...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
1930
s French Empire Chandelier with Eagles
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style black painted chandelier with eagle's heads.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, Circa 1875
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, France
Charming French Tole Lamp on a frosted lucite base. Wonderful patina on this vintage piece. Certainly a statement piece in any home libr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
1940s French Empire / Neo-Classical Style Tole Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are beautiful! These hand painted tole lamps are French. They are in very good condition and are signed. The base and body display many elements of the French Empire period. T...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
1930
s French Empire Lion and Swans Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire bronze sconces with swans and lions head backplate.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Large 19th Century French Empire Period Floor Candelabrum
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinary period Empire gilded gold dore bronze rolling floor candelabrum.
Born in France, the stunning Neo-classical style architectural antique...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
1930s French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier w/ Drapery Swag Attrib Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Spectacular 1930's French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier. Bronze drapery swag detail. With Neoclassical elements. Attributed to Maison Bagues.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,460 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair Of Empire Style Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Lampshade diameter 17 inches. Relatively modern nice quality in the French empire style.
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,500 / set
French Empire Style Ebonized Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) ebonized and gilt bronze 6 arm chandelier suspended by 3 black and gilt bronze link extensions with a flame ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of 19th C. French Ormolu
Patinated Bronze Torchieres/floor lamps
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Large Pair of 19th Century Empire Period French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Torchieres. The patinated bronze base is decorated with hand-chassed and hand-c...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Austria Blown Glass
Bronze Hanging Bell Jar Hall Lanterns R. Wien 1850
By Wien
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare pair of Austria blown glass and bronze hanging bell jar hall lanterns, Signed R. Ditmar Wien, Austria. Mid 19th Century
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Bronze Wall Sconces Double Armed Lighting Lamp In Candelabra Style
Located in Bastogne, BE
Pair of empire style wall lights manufactured in the 20th century.
Bronze construction.
Original gilding. The sconces are decorated with ac...
Category
1970s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Marble and Bronze Lamp
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality 19th Century bronze and green marble lamp base is of columnar form. It features Neoclassical motifs including floral swags and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large 2nd Empire Bronze 4-Light Melusina Sconces, Pair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Second Empire Bronze sconces depicting The Melusina of European Folklore. The Mermaid with Angel Wings. A female spirit of fresh water. Detailed castings of the four winds, scaled ta...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$9,100 Sale Price
36% Off
1930’s Swedish Empire 6 lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s Swedish empire style crystal chandelier with 6 lights
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, 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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