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
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Russian Empire Style Black and Gold Six-Light Chandelier with Classical Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Russian Empire style black and gold bronze chandelier from the 20th century, with six lights, classical figures and foliage motifs. Created in Russia during the 20th century, this ...
Category
20th Century Russian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Basket Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our exquisite antique chandelier - a masterpiece of elegance and style that will seamlessly complement any room with a touch of timeless beauty. With its stunning details...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French 19th Century Empire St. Alabaster And Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Alabaster and Ormolu chandelier. This four arm eight light chandelier is centered by a striking foliate acorn shaped Or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Ormolu and Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century directoire bouillotte table lamp. Lamp features original elements and original black tole lampshade with gilt brass leaf applied detailing. Newly rewired with side ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Tôle, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Chandelier.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th Century French Empire Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Chandelier.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Pair of Wall Sconces attributed to Caldwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Bronze & Crystal Wall Sconces, each having a pierced anthemion backplates, demi lume corona with three lights above a band of square and kite shaped prisms & steel liner. US...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Six Arm Brass and Crystal Empire style Chandelier
Located in Canton, MA
Six arm brass and crystal empire style chandelier. Gilt brass with Crystals. Central brass ring with classical wave cast design. Six arms extend from the central ring with cast desig...
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Marvelous MARBRO Mid Century Polished Brass Table Lamp! Huge Showpiece Lighting
Located in Peoria, AZ
SENSATIONAL!
MID CENTURY
MONUMENTAL
BRASS MARBRO LAMP!
MID CENTURY DECORATION ICON!
DUAL PULL STRING SOCKETS!
POLISHED BRASS
ORIGINAL SHADE & BRASS FINIAL
DIMENSIONS: 40" x 21"
In the forties and fifties, decorators would choose the most impressive lamp they could obtain and place it in a home's "picture window" so that all passerby and visitors could glimpse just how well the occupants lived!
Picture windows started disappearing in the late sixties, but demand for monumental lighting...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Gold
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
Beautiful Pair Of French Empire Style Bag Chandeliers
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this amazing pair of French Empire Bag Chandeliers , each one with six internal lights , aprox 98 cm height , PAT tested. All our chandeliers come with ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five-Arm Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five Candelabra Light Chandelier, This Fixture Comes With Shades That Maybe Removed
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilded Bronze Floor Lamp by Edward F. Caldwell & Co
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous antique floor lamp by Edward F. Caldwell has a sleek design with a strong gilded cast bronze base with foliage motif and wreath lip. A fluted pole extends from the base...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th century French empire bronze ormolu table lamp
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Tall 19th century french empire bronze ormolu lamp, circa 1860.
Here we have a lamp of the finest quality, previously would have been a gas lamp but converted to electricity in the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
New Art Deco Crystal Style Chandelier: Custom Empire Elegance
Introducing our latest addition, the Art Deco crystal style chandelier, a captivating fusion of Empire opulence and the...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
1920's Empire Style Cut Crystal Table Lamp - Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Empire style cut crystal table lamps
Category
1920s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
Antique French Empire Bronze Table Lamp with Silk Shade
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Bronze Table Lamp with Silk Shade is of a style many consider the most formal and sophisticated of them all! Thi...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Marbro *Original* Italian Porcelain Table Lamp! Only 1. Cobalt Blue 1960s Empire
Located in Peoria, AZ
***MARBRO ORIGINAL**
GILDED EMPIRE STYLE
PORCELAIN LAMP!
The Only One in The World!
CIRCA 1960
Incredible Midnight Color!
A Cobalt Blue so Deep its almost Black!
DI...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Gold
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a captivating blend of Art Deco charm and Empire sophistication, our lead crystal chandelier is a testament to opulence and craftsmanship. Crafted in-house, we offer the ...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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
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
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms.
Cleaned and re-wired, in full working order and ready to use.
In excellent vintage condition.
Si...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style brass and crystal glass basket chandelier.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has an or...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
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
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Brass & Marble Empire Torchiere Column Candlestick Table Lamp 37"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Empire style torchiere / square column / candlestick shaped table lamp, crafted of brass with dark accents and white marble on the base....
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, 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
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Estate French Empire Design Gold Bronze 6 Light Chandelier, 75 years old.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate French Empire Design Gold Bronze 6 Light Chandelier, 75 years old.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Sconces In Gilt And Patinated Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful pair of Empire sconces in very finely chiseled bronze with double golden and brown patina.
Three sconces, plate with palmette decoration, superb conical honeycomb binets.
...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Empire Beaded Crystal Chandelier Six Light
Located in Milan, IT
A stunning Empire Crystal chandelier of Italian origin, coming from a Tuscan private palazzo in Florence dating back to the early 19th century.
Repoussé brass, iron and crystal are...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Brass
French Empire style Brass Column Lamp with an Eagle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly decorative French empire style lamp likely made in the early 20thC. The polished brass column was likely the stem of a candelabra which was later embellished with an eagle ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Empire french bronze chandelier in gold-plated with 'Quimeras" circa 1800
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible chandelier in bronze and gold empire circa 1800 with "Quimeras" for 6 lights.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Pair French Antique Crystal & Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular pair of Antique French Crystal and Gilt Bronze Chandeliers.
A matched pair of early 20th century French...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. The middle part in the form of a column. Richly decorated with leaf and period Empir...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920 European Antique Empire style Cut/ Beaded Cascading Crystal Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1920's Euro Antique Cut and Beaded Cascading Flow of Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant. This piece is lovely!
Category
1920s Czech Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
c1920's Empire style/ Regency Cascading Cut Crystal & Bronze Bag & Tent Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
What makes this pair of cascading crystal different? These are authentic 1920's. Pair of 1920's Cut Crystal Bag and Tent / Empire style Wall Sconces. Bronze framed. All intact and or...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
A Rare Brass Bouillotte Triple Branch Table Lamp With Height Adjustable Shade
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Rare Brass Bouillotte Triple Branch Table Lamp With An Adjustable Height Shade.
Complete with rare brass accessories such as a candle snuffer and candle wick cutter...
Category
19th Century British Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19thc British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Lantern style Pendant/ Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1890 British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Bag and Tent style Chandelier/ Pendant Ceiling Fixture. I purchased this fixture along with some other beautiful British fixtures from a ...
Category
1890s English Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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
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
Early 1900's French Antique Empire style Crystal Bag & Tent form Wall Sconce
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1920's French Antique Empire style Cut Cascading Crystal Wall Lamp/ Sconce. This is a beautiful antique piece.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
19thc French Empire Green Art Glass Lantern Intricately Patterned
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire Intricately Patterned Green Art Glass Lantern with Bronze Element. Lovely antique lantern which will arrive newly electrified and with 15 inches of chain and ceil...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Art Glass
19thc Antique French Empire style Bronze & Cut Crystal Cascading Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Cascading crystal form. Bronze frame. Purchased in France.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique Patinated Bronze Chandelier with Figure of Mercury and Three Arms
Located in San Francisco, CA
This beautifully crafted chandelier of patinated bronze is truly magnificent. With it's detailed figure of Mercury, bronze garlands, cherubs and gazelles, the three arms each hold f...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
18th Century Large Scale Italian Empire Gilt Tole and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exquisite 18th century large scale Italian Empire style gilt tole and crystal chandelier with 8 lights. An impressive fixture that is a classic beauty. Gorgeous!
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Pr. 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze "Lions Head" Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues. Very highly detailed and ultra high quality. French Estate.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
21st Century Baroque Brass Empire Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Baroque Empire brass chandelier, an exquisite piece with fascinating embellishments reminiscent of the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new reproduct...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold 2
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac-a-Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with mesmerizing crystals, evoking the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new re...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, 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
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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
19th Century Empire Style Bronze Table Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
French Empire style Electrified bronze and brown lacquer on bronze oil lamp with three-way socket and fitted with silk lampshade.
Category
19th Century 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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