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 Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890.
The lamp ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Dimensions : 42" Tall X 30" Wide X 30" Deep
This fine quality large chandelier was made in Italy and ve...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This chandelier features a bronze crown adorned with an acanthus leaf design at its peak. Its structure is beautifully composed of a series of shimmering crystal beads and baguettes ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Giltwood Eagle Sconces, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of giltwood sconces dates to circa 1815, at the end of the period of French history when Napoleon was the emperor, known as the Empire Style. As Napoleon envisioned himself...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of Empire Style Lamps
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Empire style lamps. Cut glass or pressed glass oil reservoirs with flame tops and key detail. 3 portraits adorn the top of the highly ornate bases. Heavy.
Curbside to NYC/P...
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Empire Swan Bronze Sconces 1930 Lighting France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An exquisite pair of two-light Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces from the 1930s.
Drawing inspiration from the eighteenth century, these beautiful light fixtures demonstrate supe...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp
Amazing old bronze patina
The lamp has been re-wired.
Shade not included
The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade
Free UK shipp...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Spelter
Empire style twelve light crystal and bronze antique chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Fine antique clear crystal chandelier having 12 lights.
It is in the empire style with the lights surrounding the
Outer rim of the fixture. The wiring is good and the crystal is
Comp...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Gilt Bronze / Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Pair Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with the enchanting charm of our Late 20th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Table Lamps. This exquisite pair of lamps seamles...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
19th century French Pair of Empire Period Gilded Bronze Sconces
Located in LEGNY, FR
18th century French very beautiful pair of gilded bronze sconces from the Empire period in good condition.
Caryatid heads. Very elegant model. Electrification up to standards.
Nice q...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Bouillotte Lamp Empire Period
Located in BARSAC, FR
Lampe bouillotte en bronze doré finement ciselé à trois bras de lumière figurant des cygnes.
Abat-jour en tôle laqué vert orné de frises dorées.
Bras de lumière et abat-jour réglab...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Solid Brass and Glass Lantern or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made in the style of the Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes three E14 ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Bronze Table Lamp by Danish Sculptor TH Stein Denmark 1850’s
Located in Valby, 84
Artist made Bronze lamp attributed Danish Sculptor TH Stein and is made in the 1850’s.
The lamp has clear references to both Pompeii and Herculanum.
The lamp is made in solid bronze ...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Small Table Lamp From The 19th Century
Located in BARSAC, FR
Charming little bouillotte lamp in gilded and chiseled bronze, with one arm of light and red lacquered sheet metal lampshade.
Old work from the beginning of the 19th century, empire...
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 Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style, two pairs are available.
Italian - Circa 1880
These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style.
Italian - Circa 1880
These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Mid century vintage Italian brass and porcelain whimsical decorator lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid-century vintage Italian made decorator table lamp. The table lamp features a botanical inspired bouquet flowers with handmade porce...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier
French, Late 19th Century
Height 32, diameter 42cm
This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
French Bouillotte Lamps Napoleonic Empire Green Gold Gilded Vintage Table Lamps
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Frederick Cooper, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Stiffel, Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage classic French green and gold gilded bronze Bouillotte style table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Louis XVI, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps.
D...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Paul Ferrante Empire-Style Six-Arm Chandeliers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful pair of Paul Ferrante empire-style six-arm chandeliers with 7 bulb sockets
Gold gilded & green painted bronze
25" W x 36" H
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Patinated Ormolu Bronze Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire / Neoclassical Style Patinated & Ormolu Dore Bronze Chandelier 8 Candelabra Light Fixture
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Bouillotte Lamp In Gilt Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire style bouillotte lamp in gilded bronze, with a green lacquered sheet metal shade.
Illuminated by 3 lights.
French work of quality from the 20th century (circa 1950)
Perfect ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's French Empire Single Light Swan Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light sconces with Swan’s head
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces
Circa 1830
Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French early 19th Century twelve light gilded chandelier attributed to Thomire
Located in Southall, GB
An impressive gilt and patinated bronze French Empire chandelier with twelve lights, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843). Winged Victory figures wearing classical robes stand...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Neo classical Empire style Chandelier in gilt bronze and green crystal
Located in Paris, FR
Imposing Neo-classical chandelier in pure Empire style, with castpalmettes motifs and mythological figures in fine gilded bronze
In the center, a green cut crystal cup support a m...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Six-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Brighten a entry or a powder room with this sophisticated antique Empire chandelier. Crafted of solid bronze in Paris France, circa 1920, the wall hanging fixture is circular in shap...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps - a Pair. Item featured is a tall impressive size, 7 electrified candelabras, stunning cast bronze ormolu with rouge marble supports, square black painted wooden bases, remarkable quality and overall presence. Approx 60 lbs each. Stunning and rare pair of floor candelabras...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, 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
Beautiful Antique Old Paris Porcelain Table Lamps Oil Lamps Franc 1880s
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful Antique Old Paris Porcelain Oil Lamps ca 1880s
Beautiful antique Old Paris porcelain Lamps
These lamps, originally oil lamps, we...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Brighten an entry or a powder room with this sophisticated antique chandelier. Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1920 and built of bronze, the wall hanging fixture is circular in shape...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Figural Swan Chandelier
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s
Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs.
Rare French Empire style bron...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Eighteen Light Bronze Empire Chandelier.
Located in Fairfax, VA
French large bronze eighteen light chandelier with black lacquered center part.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Height can be adjusted by removing some of the chain.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and 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 in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Bouillotte Bronze Three Lights Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Empire-style period bouillotte lamp, boasting three bronze lights and an adjustable screen, is complemented by a verdant tole shade in hues of green.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper
Pair Vintage Roman Column Form Green Marble and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage Empire style table lamps of Roman column form, finely crafted from variegated green marble with brass mounts including Corinthian style capitals and square stepped ba...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage French Iron and Brass Torchiere Floor Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stunning patinated wrought iron torchiere floor lamp with solid brass details stands on three legs and features three lights with red, black and gold shades. Time earned patina and b...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Iron
French Empire Brass Steel Pool Table Double Lantern Light
Located in New York, NY
This piece was acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. This pool table light holds two metal shaded lamps. The arm of the light is made of cast brass. Good conditi...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Empire Style Brass, Bronze and Frosted Glass Three-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style brass, bronze, and frosted glass three-light chandelier from ca 1950s.
This adorable and compact Empire-style chandelier features a circular brass body and three...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, 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 Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair Signed Antique E.F. Caldwell Empire Gilt Bronze High Detail Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Stunning and Rare Pair Antique c1890's Fire Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Signed by E.F. Caldwell. Please look closely at pictures as these sconces are beautiful beyond words. Originally ...
Category
1890s North American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass four
Located in Berlin, DE
**Set of 6 Available - Vintage Chandeliers from a Baltic Sea Castle**
Here's a unique opportunity to acquire a set of 6 exquisite vintage chandeliers, each originating from a castle...
Category
Early 18th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Heig...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Green Painted Table Bouillotte Candlestick Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Green Painted Library Table Lamp, France
Charming French desk lamp with narrow brass center support in between two bases best used for candles, or just left alone for ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Metal
1920s Italian Empire Style Brass & Crystal Wall Sconces - a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of enchanting sconces, circa the 1920s. These Empire-style sconces exude an aura of class and elegance, transporting any room to a time of timele...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier, Early 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Regal First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Six-Arm Chandelier was made in France in the Early Nineteenth Century. The Bronze Doré Castings are of the highest refined quality. The Doré Corona is surmounted with seven Acanthus Leaves, each pinned with a French crystal drop. The Corona suspends to the hand-pinned faceted oval crystal chain tent that is encompassed with hand pined French drops. The tent chains draw the eye down to the two tone console...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
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
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Large Basket Chandelier, 1st Third 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Large ceiling chandelier with six brass candle holders. The hanging of glass prisms, drops and beads is guided over two hoops and ends in a basket with hanging drops.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of table Lamps in Bronze Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This pair of table lamps is in the style of Empire. They were created in the 19th Century in France, they are in Bronze and silk for the shades. The color is Gold, it is a pair of ve...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past
Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Fairfax, VA
Pair of 19th century urn shape two color bronze and marble that they have custom made to table lamps and fitted with silk lampshades.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 Eagle Arms
Located in Halle, DE
A beautiful 20th Century classic French Empire gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 sculptural Eagle Arms .
The Bouillotte Lamp present a classic dark-green painted tole shade with ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau Big leaf
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past
Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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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