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
18th Century Italian Empire Rock Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 18th century Italian Empire style rock crystal basket style chandelier with 6 lights. A classic style for a beautiful home!
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal
Fine Pair Of French Empire Style Painted Metal Urn Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of Urn Lamps with dusty Celadon painted with stylized Acanthus Leaf decoration and gilt accents. The bases with Floral decoration and having square bases resting on Paw feet. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
1930
s French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930,s French Empire style wall sconces with bend glass inset from Mr..Icahn's Penthouse in NYC
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
French Empire Neoclassical Style Figural Maiden Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Figural Maiden Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair. Lamps feature flame finials, 6 candle arms, black patinated metal female figures with water j...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
French bronze Empire style chandelier with the goddess Demeter as the center finial.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
This lamp, circa 1920, is styled in the French Empire fashion, which draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman designs and was popularized during the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte....
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Caldwell French Empire Style Ormolu Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (late 19th Century) ormolu wall sconces with sixteen arms, and shield form back plates with crossed palm fronds surrounding a scrolling vine cast pierced ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890
s.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's.
We have 2 of these chandeliers available, and they are sold individually.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Wonderful French Neoclassical Large Empire Bronze Crystal Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French neoclassical large Empire bronze and crystal adorning glass bell jar lantern fixture with 6 candelabra lights.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Mid 20th Century Italian Tole Lamp
Located in Doylestown, PA
Mid 20th century Italian tole lamp with original shade.
Fine Italian tole column form table lamp in a warm ochre hue. It is intricately painted with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Tôle, Brass
A Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine pair of late 19thC French Empire style candelabra now wired into lamps. The very well cast and patinated winged Victory or Nike s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
c1910 French Empire Gilt Metal Framed Cut Cascading Crystal Form Basket Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1910 Pair of French Empire style Gilt Metal Wall Sconces. In the cascading crystal to form tent bottom - that is this style. Bronzse framed Rair pair.
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$1,072 Sale Price / set
46% Off
A Pair Of Gilt Brass French Bouliotte Style Candle Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of Mid 20th century Gilt Brass Bouliotte style table lamps with new grey fabric shades. The circular plinth base with reeded stem supporting two tall candle style arms. Circul...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze
Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Height 20.5 in (10 in, chain)/ 75 cm (25 cm, chain)
Weight...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine Bronze and Crystal Period Empire Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite Empire chandelier, having a frame of finely chased gilt bronze, basket shape, draped in beaded crystals; floral swags connect the four external candlearms, four additional ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Empire Style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very fine quality Empire style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps. 16 inch height to top of sockets.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Grand Prospect Hall Empire Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Empire style chandelier was repurposed from a larger light in the main ballroom in Brooklyn, New York's Grand Prospect Hall. Grand Prospect Hall was built in 1892 and has witnes...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
1930
s Empire Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Glass
A pair of 1920s brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1920s solid brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design, each with two fittings, rewired with new fittings and PAT tested
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19thc Antique French "Empire" Bronze Fish/ Dolphin/ Sea Creature/ Koi Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare 19thc French Antique Empire Bronze Fish/ Sea Creature/ Dolphin Chandelier. 3 fish with curled tails. Floral Art Glass shades. Parisian Estate a...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,080 Sale Price
20% Off
A Fine Ormolu And Bronze Empire Chandelier
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The patented bronze frame mounted with finely chased ormolu, issuing six eagle heads supporting candle nozzles and save-alls, suspended on three chains from a foliated corona.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Style Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire style light chandelier with blue painted dish having Empire style cast bronze mounts and detailed cast bronze charioteers, suspended ...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Bronze Green Candlestick Column Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Wreath Ormolu Dark Green Bouillotte Table Lamp with Dark Green Paper Shade (Not metal). Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 22.5" H (to finial). Base...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Patinated Bronze Brass Column Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Patinated Bronze/Brass Heavy Column Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light socket) x...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze doré 2 arm bouillotte table lamp with swan form arms beneath a red tole adjustable shade 20th century.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra or Carcel Lamp from the Estate of Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This very nice carcel lamp now converted to electricity comes from the estate and Paul and Bunny Mellon and formed part of the decorations of their home Oa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Tin
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn Form Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This detailed bronze urn form lamp features gilt bronze highlights including lepard head handles, and acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair with Original Shades. Item features very rare cast ceramic porcelain forms in a gold and smoky charcoal...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Timothy Outlton, Empire Style, Wall Sconces, Steel, Crystal, 1990s
Located in Manhasset, NY
A pair of Niermann Weeks style three light crystal and metal wall lights by Timothy Oulton. Each in the Empire style with aged metal and crystal design. Part of a large collection of...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Pair of Charles X Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra Lamps
Located in New York, NY
With acanthus-wrapped fluted columns on scroll-form feet and triangular base. Lamp shades not included. Height to socket is 20" - height can be adjusted with different harps.
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Chandelier, 1920
s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Charming French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1920s.
This lovely piece has an ornate bronze frame hung with prisms of crystal glass.
The crystal glass pr...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Italian Large Empire Crystal
Gilded Iron Chandelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
A grand 19th century Empire chandelier with cascading strands of hand-cut crystal and a richly gilded iron frame, showcasing classical symmetry and the opulence of Napoleonic design....
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Pair French Empire Style Gilt Metal Sconces with Sunburst Motif
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique gilt metal sconces in the French Empire style with sunburst motif, candelabra size sockets and white candle covers, modern wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra Lamp from the Estate of Paul and Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine classical carcel lamp would originally have had a burner and glass shade but now is fitted for electricity and will require a tole or cloth shade...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Style Niermann Weeks Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of wall sconces in the Empire style with embossed gilt metal having a floral-like design, three electrified lights with beeswax candle covers...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Monumental Pair of Italian Empire Gilt Bronze Candleholders or Floor Lamps, 1800
Located in Rome, IT
Impressive pair of Italian Empire finely chiseled ormolu Flambeaux, on triform base, each with 25 scrolled gilt-bronze candle arms. Attributed to Luigi Manfredini the famous bronze a...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$114,896 Sale Price
20% Off
Fabulous French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze 9-Light Glass Torch Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Spectacular large neoclassical French Empire chococate brown patinated and gilt bronze 9-light chandelier with faux candle sockets
Measures:
Diameter 27.6 in/ 70 cm
Height 35.5 in/ ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps with Adjustable Height Finials - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 25.5"- 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Chandelier This is a lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Chandelier
This is a lovely piece especially where a very large chandelier is not suitable, it has a bright brass crown hung with chains of cut crystal beads, co...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire-style Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze light candelabras, which have been patinated. Gold-finish bronze, gilt bronze, also known as ormolu, is a term describing a decorative art object f...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s
A striking and substantial pair of French Empire table lamps in bronze, dating from the 1820s and originally conceived as large Empir...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,014 / set
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 47" H (to finial) x 34" H (to light socket) x 8.5" W x 8.5" D...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Brass Candlestick Student Oil Style Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Patinated Brass Candlestick Student "Oil Lamp Style" Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to light socket) x 9.5" W x 6....
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Palace Size French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
The Palace Size French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier is a grand and luxurious lighting fixture that exudes elegance and sophistication. With its intricate design and exqu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of English Adam Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please note lamp shades NOT included.
Pair of Antique silver plated table lamps. Originally oil lamps converted to electric/plug in.
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
$3,360 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Pair of Splendid Bronze French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Absolutely sublime top drawer bronze electried antique wall sconces having 2 lights each, and marvelous decoration including urn at the top, tassel at the bottom, acanthus leaves and...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Bronze 8 Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century French Empire style bronze chandelier with 8 lights. Beautiful decorative detail on the base and arms. A classic fixture that is sure to impress!!
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Small Thin Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamp a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Small Thin Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 20.5" H (to light socke...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Chandelier
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful large Empire chandelier with original candleholders, restored and cleaned.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$6,672 Sale Price
26% Off
Russian Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut-Glass Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An Empire Cut-Glass Mounted Ormolu Twelve-Light Chandelier
Russian
Early 19th century
Consisting of a palmette and anthemeon-cast corona top suspending four chains and a circular ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 20th C. Empire Style Black and Silver Fluted Column Floor Lamp with Shade
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20thc., an elegant floor lamp that features a classic design with a black fluted column base and silver accents. The pyramid-shaped base is intricately detailed with stepped lay...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This 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 left in ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$1,723 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Italian Empire Style Repousse and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional 18th century Italian Empire style Brass and crystal basket style chandelier. Featuring glistening crystals and a repousse' Greek key design around the base. Stunning!!
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Swedish Cast Iron Urn Norrahammar No 5
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare garden urn marked Norrahammar No 5 in cast iron, 19th century.
Condition: Good original condition with heavy patina.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Iron
Bohemian Cut Crystal Tiered Basket Chandelier Circa 1920
Located in Hastings, GB
A truly breathtaking and sumptuous antique basket chandelier, resplendent in hand cut, multi-faceted Bohemian lead crystal, with 8 lamp holders in bronze with embossed decorative flo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
French Empire, Thirteen Light Basket Chandelier, Bronze, Crystal, France, 19th C
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Empire, Bronze, Crystal, Thirteen Light Chandelier, France, 19th Century
An exquisite 19th century dore bronze chandelier featuring a classic basket ballroom design with intr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Traditional Style Brass Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of traditional style brass chandeliers. Three arms each. Nice cast details. Very good quality, heavy for size. Nice petite size, 14" diameter x 22" long overall, including chain...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$1,495 / set
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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