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
Antique French Empire Black
Gold Tole Metal Urn Bouillotte Table Lamp w Shade
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Hand Painted Tole Metal Urn Form Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp with Shade. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 11" H (t...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Monumental Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Austrian crystal chandelier with a solid bronze frame and faceted crystal, circa 1930s or older. This chandelier is perfect for large spaces, entryways, and hallways. A unique waterf...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
Large French Empire Style Tent Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Empire Style Tent chandelier
This is a lovely piece, quite a large chandelier, it has an aged brass frame hung with large crystals, com...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Fontainebleau Empire Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
Fontainebleau Empire chandelier, based on a 19th-century French design, the arrangement of the chains and the elaborate cast brass details make this design distinctive. A gilt finish...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$19,700 / item
Pair of Empire-Style Bronze Table Lamps, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire-Style Bronze Table Lamps, France, Early 19th Century
Elegant pair of French bronze table lamps, originally fine Empire candlesticks from circa 1820, later converted t...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Style Twelve-Light Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
This chandelier combines an understated crisply cast dark bronze body with wonderful quality two-tone gilding. Of classical inspiration, the theme is leafy, repeating borders of anth...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$12,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire, Impressive Pendant Light, Dore Bronze, Crystal, France, 19th c.
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Empire, Dore Bronze, Crystal, Impressive Chandelier or Pendant Light, France, 19th c.
An exceptional early 19th century French chandelier crafted in 22kt dore bronze and ador...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Four Light Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
This Hommage a Egypte pair were made at the time of Napoleon's unsuccessful foray into Egypt. The shaped bases, winged feet and triangular columns are surely inspired by the campaig...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Pair of Italian Gilt Bronze Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style
Italian - Circa 1880
These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion mask pl...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
$1,850 / set
French 20th Century Empire Style Single Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage 20th century Empire style tole (lacquered metal) and parcel gilt bronze table lamp with new linen shade. This substantial Neoclassical fixture has an attractive balust...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Gold
Hand Blown Murano Glass Semi Flush Fixture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous Large Hand-Blown Italian Glass Semi Flush Fixture. Ribbed salt glass bowl with elegant pale pink ruffle trim. Dramatic addition to any room.
...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely elegant French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Baccarat crystal chandelier. The eight arm chandelier is centered by a striking solid crystal ball below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Pair of 3-light torches in chased and gilded bronze, signed Barbedienne
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of three-light candelabra in chased and gilded bronze, signed F. Barbedienne, Paris. Barbedienne, Paris.
Elegant pair of Empire-style three-light candelabra in finely chased an...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal 19th Century French Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt bronze and patinated metal 19th Century French chandelier
French, late 19th Century
Dimensions: Height 83cm, diameter 60cm
Designed in the elegant French Empire sty...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
Monumental "Sac à Perles" Crystal Chandelier with Neoclassical Brass Frieze
Located in Mortsel, BE
Empire-style crystal chandelier dates from the mid-20th century and evokes the grandeur of French Neoclassical design. Often referred to as a "Sac à Perles" (bag of pearls) or basket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French Neoclassical Empire Style Bronze Chandelier by Lucien Gau, 1970s
Located in Warsaw, PL
A striking French neoclassical chandelier in the Empire style by Lucien Gau, ca. 1970s.
The gilt bronze elements show delicate chasing and a soft patina that highlights its age and c...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Russian Crystal Gilt Bronze and Blue Glass Chandelier
By Johann Zech
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19th century Russian chandelier having eight candle arms. The design is intended to represent waterfalls. The central stem of the chandelier is in four tiers each hung with ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843)
A large a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze
Crystal "Basket" Chandelier by Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier. The main and top circles with Anthemia and rosettes. Graduated chains of crystal octagon beads a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Bronze Crystal Chandelier, with Fire-Gilded Swans, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely decorative, heavy and high quality Empire chandelier,
19th century.
No replica. Staffed with five magnificent, fire-gilded bronze swans.
This chandelier impresses with its uniqueness.
The swan is the symbol animal of the Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$142,991 Sale Price
33% Off
Pair of Antique French Empire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These fine and large French candelabra date from the Empire period of the 19th century and beautifully contrast the different finishes of gilt ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks after C. Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of excellent early 19th century French empire gilt bronze candlesticks in the style of Claude Galle (1758-1815):
A tapering stem with rich trelliswork relief divided into thr...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Balloon Chandelier with pendants
Located in Paris, FR
Large Empire-style hot-air balloon chandelier with tassels and ormolu mount with palmettes. It is lit by eight lights in the lower part and four more in the upper crown.
The name Mo...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Lighting
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 Lighting
Materials
Gold Leaf
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Italian Empire Crystal Chandelier with 18 Lights 18th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Large Late 1700s 18-Light Empire Chandelier in Crystal and Gilt Brass, in perfect condition. A rare and antique Italian salon chandelier with a light balloon-like structure made of i...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Very Fine Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and decorative gilt bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring central frosted and cut crystal globe. 4-light, France, circa 1900
Dimension...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Painted Toleware and Brass Desk Lamp A lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Painted Toleware and Brass Desk Lamp
A lovely piece, adapted from an original oil lamp, the lamp has a single brass sconce and opposite we can see the secretary bird both set...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabras
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning pair of gilded and patinated bronze candelabras, featuring a winged cupid. He is standing on a sphere and holding a torch, which is surrounded by three curving candle branch...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$9,413 / set
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,800 / set
Gilt Bronze
Crystal "Basket" Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze & cut crystal "Basket" chandelier. 12 lights. Great quality. France, circa 19220.
Dimensions: Height 44" Diameter 21"
CW4886.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Candelabra of Ormolu and Patinated Bronze and Marble
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of late 19th century Empire bronze and ormolu candelabra.
- Caryatid herm female figures on marble block plinths.
- Three ormolu candle arms/cups
- Well modeled.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire Style French Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Majestic basket chandelier in French. Empire style in 1900.
Bronze, gilded. Basket-shaped, profile-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prism strings. In the course, con...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Green Tole Three Light Table Lamp.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Green Tole Three Light Table Lamp.
Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three swan decorated scrolled arms. A finely chise...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, 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 Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$4,985 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine Quality Pair of Early Empire Ormolu Mounted Cut Crystal Lamps
Located in New York, NY
The fine diamond cut crystal column-form table lamps supported by gilt bronze paw feet.
Date: Early 19th century
Origin: French
Dimension: 36 in x 10 in.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$7,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Griffon Bouillotte Lamp with Tole Shade, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
French Empire gilt bronze bouillotte lamp with three scrolled arms, interior griffon heads, telescopic tole shade with pineapple and feather finial, and resting on the original circu...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Tôle, Tin, Wire
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Bronze and Green Sheet Metal Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Large Empire style chandelier made of green sheet metal and gilded bronze decorated with ornaments and palm leaves. French work. Circa 1920
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Sheet Metal
Vintage Bronze French Empire Three-Arm Eagle Chandelier Light Fixture
Located in Toledo, OH
Gorgeous French Empire bronze chandelier with Eagle. Eagle with outspread wings sits atop three vines. Bronze shades holders have raised flowers. Each arm holds a flower form shade...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
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 Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Russian Ormolu Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Russian Ormolu Bouillotte Lamp
Beautiful lamp purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Table Lamps by Thomire à Paris
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous and highly important pair of empire gilt bronze and rock crystal table lamps. Both are signed on the base Thomire à Paris. Each is meticulou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Mid. Century vintage elegant neoclassical style lamps/pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid-century vintage Neo classical style table lamps. These lamps have a copper undertone with a beautiful patinated distressed green patina. These lamps have a hand...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Copper
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Enhance the ambiance of your outdoor or indoor space with our Antique Iron Lantern Light fe...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
true pair of French 19th century Bronze, Ormolu and Marble candelabra lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive and high quality true pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Vert de Patricia Marble candelabra lamps. Each stunning electrified ca...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Empire-Style Chandelier in Gilt Brass and Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 1950s Empire-style chandelier crafted in gilt brass and adorned with finely cut Bohemian crystal. The tapering silhouette features a decorative crown at the top, from which s...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Brass And Cut Frosted Glass Pendant Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Brass and frosted glass cut to clear pendant, rewired and ready to hang. New single socket and wire. Original ceiling cap and hardware to hang included. Good overall condition, ready...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Large and Important Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large and important antique French Empire gilt bronze chandeliers, each of circular form with a white enamel central dish and multiple ormolu-mounted branches. The dishes a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu and bronze chandelier
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 100cm, diameter 64cm
This chandelier is a beauti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century.
Dimens...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Composition
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
Located in IT
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
This elegant table lamp model buillotte was made in France in the early nineteenth century, classic taste with decorative elements Em...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Russian Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely cast and gilded Russian Empire style candelabra that was transformed into a lamp; featuring a classical maiden holding aloft three winged sea horses terminating in candle no...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian 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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