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
Winged Victory Empire Figural Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Winged Victory French Empire figural lamp patinated and gilt bronze, column on stepped black veined marble base. 19th century, France
MEASUREMENTS;
30.25" H x 16" diameter (shade)...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1930s French Empire Three lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930’s French empire gilt metal 3 lights sconces with swans head, original gilding and patina
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940’s French empire style alabaster chandelier with bronze interior arms, 12 lights + 6 interiors.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Large empire chandelier with clear and amber crystal
Located in Houston, TX
Large and impressive chandelier with both clear and
Amber color crystal. The Top piece is in the shape of a crown.
The perimeter of the bowl has a rim of antique bronze
Which is deco...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of 1900's French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900 French Empire sconces with swan's head
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French empire style sconces with one light
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Napoleonic Column Table Lamps French Rosewood Gold Gilded Bronze, a Pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage Napoleonic gold gilded brass and faux rosewood column table lamps
With gold/bronze matching lampshades ( new condition )
Style: Empire, Regency, Neo classical, Napoleonic, Vintage, Antique
Design: In the manner of Caldwell, Chapman manufacturng company, Stiffel
Origin: France, 1980s
Description: Vintage Napoleonic style tabl lamps.
Made faux rosewood ( patinated metal) and brass Tuscan capitals.
The lampshades are handmade and in ew condition.
Condition: The lamps are in a good condition,one lamp have minor wear on the back ( see pics) socket E27, 230 volt and max 60w, black wired with switch.
The lamps are US compatible but a adapter for plug is required
Create the right ambience, good well positioned lighting can make a room!
All our lamps are fully working condition, however, we are shipping from Europe...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
1900’s Empire Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900’s gilt bronze with painted tile Empire style chandelier with swans heads
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of French Empire Revival Bronze Two Light Wall Sconce
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of French Empire Revival wall sconce with a torch like design having two scroll form arms and flame finial top (PRICED AS PAIR )
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Ornate French Empire Figural Gilded Bronze & Marble Table Lamp
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Magnificent fancy French Empire gilded bronze figural table lamp having lovely nymph holding two branch floral torch with ceramic candles. The details such as her angelic face, love...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
1920s French Empire Silver Swan one light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light silver plated sconces with swan head. Available in bronze
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French Empire gilt bronze small sconces. Unusual design with woman holding balls
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Silver plated empire style column table lamps
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate
1930’s French Empire Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930 French empire style three lights sconces with swan heads
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Set of Four Empire Style Three-Light Wall Sconces, Gilt and Patinated
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four French Empire style cast bronze three-arm wall sconces. The
oval cast gilt bronze back plate, with stylized acanthus leaf design, supporting a gilt banded dark patinated...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Empire Style Scalloped Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style chandelier with unusual scalloped shaped and crystal hangings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920’s French Empire Chandelier with 3 lights
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s French Empire three lights chandelier with swans and beaded crystals
Category
1920s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1930's French Empire Chandelier with Eagles
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style black painted chandelier with eagle's heads.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Charming Large Vintage Chandelier in Gilt Bronze Deknudt Belgium
By Deknudt
Located in Bastogne, BE
Very Beautiful Vintage Ceiling Chandelier in Bronze by Deknudt, Belgium.
Circa 1970s.
A very nicely chased vintage six light chandelier in bronze with...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th century French Empire Bronze Candlestick Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French empire candlesticks with three lights converted into table lamps
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930’s Swedish Empire 6 lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s Swedish empire style crystal chandelier with 6 lights
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Empire Blue Glass Beads Crystal Prisms Tole Chandelier, c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Metal body with swags of rare blue glass...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
1930's French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with Ram's heads.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Gilt Bronze Triangle Shape Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with triangle shape
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu And Baccarat Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and very high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Baccarat crystal chandelier. The twelve arm sixteen light chandelier is centered by a striking solid cryst...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A mid to late 19th century French gilt bronze Empire chandelier with swans heads and bronze figurine atop
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Empire Silver Plated Chandelier with 6 lights
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French silver plated finish empire style chandelier with 6 lights
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Lampadario Impero Italiano Dorato con Putti Seconda Metà XX Secolo
Located in Milan, IT
Lampadario Italiano in Stile Impero con Putti alati realizzato in bronzo dorato con fusioni ben cesellate e con una doratura di qualità. Il lampadarario è italiano ed è databile into...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire chandelier
Located in New York, NY
a late 19th Century French Empire chandelier with swam head's. Original finish and patina.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920’s Caldwell Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell Empire style sconces with arrow design
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Fairfax, VA
Elegant pair of 19th century candle burning bronze wall sconces that professionally have been wired and ready for installation.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's French Empire Black Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1920's empire style sconces with Blackmoore putti.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Empire 4 Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1930's French Empire 4 Lights Sconces
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Czech Crystal Beaded Empire Style Dome Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
This absolutely adorable Czech crystal beaded Empire-style dome chandelier pendant from circa the 1950s consists of strands of crystal cut balls sizing from small to big. Ballroom st...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
1930's French Empire Lion and Swans Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire bronze sconces with swans and lions head backplate.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A mid to late 19th century Swedish empire chandelier with cobalt glass inset and crystal hanging
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century Empire 8 lights chandelier it’s unusual bronze fittings, from Waldorf Hotel in NYC
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Green Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th Century French empire style double lights sconces, green patinated bronze.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Italian Empire White Murano Opaline Beads Drops Beaded Tole Chandelier, c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights, sitting in crystal bobéches, dripping with white opaline beads and vintage crystal prisms. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
1920s Caldwell Bronze Medusa Head Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s sconces with medusa head and arrow design. Two lights
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s French Empire Sconces with 3 lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large French empire style sconces with 3 lights
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold, Brass
1930's French Empire Style Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt bronze Empire style indoor lantern with glass panels inset.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Gilt bronze Table/Desk Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Fantastic gilt and oxidized 19th century bronze candelabra that has been electrified with double pull chain sockets.
Measurement includes the lampshade.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1930 French Empire style sconces
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Style (1880) gilt bronze 5-light chandelier in neo-classic form with sphinx figures, ancient urns, medallion heads and multi-patterned reserves.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Style White Painted Tole 6-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-Style (20th Century) distressed white painted tole 6-light chandelier featuring an elaborate urn form base with draped beads, branching out to 6 scroll candelabra.
...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Early electrical gilt bronze and crystal empire chandelier.
This chandelier has been professionally rewired and ready for install...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set 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 central round pla...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Four Sweeping Arms Candlestick/Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Monumental candelabra in Empire style.
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
(T-Ra-14).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Brass wall Sconces
Located in LYON, FR
An exceptional pair of brass Empire two-light sconces from early 20th century, France. This pair is designed with a swan motif. The two brass arms are fashioned out of swans with the...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
Empire Antique Chandelier Gilt Bronze and Oxidized 9 light early 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Fine chandelier with flame decoration at center top of amphora shape body. Weapons technology oxidation finish combined with dore bronze of finest quality – just gorgeous creature of...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style bronze mounted Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style bronze mounted Porcelain Table Lamp with fine gilding and hand-painted floral motifs on white and green ground.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Set 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
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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