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
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
Pair Antique French Empire Bronze D' Ore and Crystal Wall Sconces, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire bronze d' ore and crystal wall sconces, circa 1890.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Important rock crystal and gilt bronze chandelier, Russia about 1820
Located in Walkertshofen, BY
Very sophisticated, elegant neoclassical eight-armed rock crystal chandelier with a cobalt glass baluster. Between its arms are eight rock crystal hangings in form of trees. Northeas...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
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
Swedish Empire Cut Crystal and Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
With a five outscrolled electrified candlearms issuing from a bronze ring hung with crystal beaded swags and drop pendants, hung from four chains suspended from a disc issuing arched cut glass pendants; with canopy...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Double Arm Empire Brass Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire sconce of classic French design. Perfect for that small space that needs a little extra light. Cleaned and US wired using UL listed parts.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Kronleuchter aus Facettiertem Kristall Im Empire-Stil
By Ars Murano
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire style crystal chandelier decorated with rich ornamental brass patterns. The chandelier has 4 well chiseled brass arms that support the candles, 8 lights (4 external and 4 internal E14/ E27). Elegant and very bright chandelier...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
19th Century Empire Bronze Chandelier with Palmetto Crown and Flame Center
Located in Madrid, ES
An Original 19th Century Empire bronze chandelier. The piece is beautifully suspended from a palmetto crown by five link chains ...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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 French Tole Columnar Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Each with new pleated shades. Great scale and nice old faded dark green color with gilt bronze details, square plinth base and newly wired. Bellevue Avenue, Newport estate.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Tin
Impressive 19th Century Italian Gilt Carved Wood and Cut Glass Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
An Impressive 19th Century Italian Gilt tole, carved wood and cut glass eight light tent and bag chandelier in the Empire Style.
The Central girdle issuing foliate carved scrolling a...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Cut Glass, Giltwood
French 19th Century Brass Empire Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire sconce of classic French design. Perfect for that small space that needs a little extra light. Cleaned and US wired using UL listed parts.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large Antique French Empire Style 8 Arm Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large antique French Empire style, Possibly Baccarat, 8 Arm Bronze Dore, patinated bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Scroll work to gilt bronze frame with figural swans encircling the b...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Stunning Russian Empire Period Ormolu Wall Sconces , ca. 1820s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A stunning pair of Russian empire period ormolu wall candelabras , ca. 1800s-1830s.
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Bouillotte Lamp
Located in New Haven, CT
This fine French Bouillotte lamp has the highest quality ormolu and an original tôle shade held by swans.
The base, which would hold the Bouillotte game pieces is cutout in Athenian...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Paris Porcelain Campagna Form Table Lamps with New Shades
Located in Essex, MA
With a classical scene on a campagna form vase with handles.
Category
1840s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
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, Gilt Bronze and Silk Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
The round flaring shade with ruched silk overlaid with laurel wreaths headed by anthemion and enclosing three lights, issuing four outward scrolling electr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Ivory Lantern
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Ivory lantern, based on a French design, the delicate hand-painted decoration on the slatted glass adds texture. The motif on the coronet is reflec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Large 2nd Empire Bronze 4-Light Melusina Sconces, Pair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Second Empire Bronze sconces depicting The Melusina of European Folklore. The Mermaid with Angel Wings. A female spirit of fresh water. Detailed castings of the four winds, scaled ta...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Brass Chandelier Crystal Lustre Ceiling Light Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing an exquisite Empire Brass Chandelier, adorned with sparkling crystals, and professionally restored with love in Berlin. This timeless piece has been thoughtfully re-wired...
Category
1940s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
Empire Style Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very elegant and restrained gilt bronze & painted bronze empire style pendant. France, circa 1920. 4 Lights.
Measures: height 38", diameter 25"...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Important 19th C Empire Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze Palatial Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
One of the finest 19th century Empire palatial 36 light chandeliers on the market today. Fine gilt bronze Empire details with two tiers of 36 light...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Candle Wall Sconces Candlestick, Italy, 1970s
By Palladio
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of giltwood candlestick wall sconces 1970s in empire style. Each fixture requires two candles. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Fine 19th Century French Neoclassical Swan Form Sconces 2 Pair Available
Located in Charleston, SC
Fine early 19th century French neoclassical / empire swan form sconces. Incredible quality and patina.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Superb gilt bronze & crystal Empire style Chandelier. Top ring featuring anthemia. Main ring with winged deity carrying gilt torcheres. The bottom part consists of seven concentric...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Silvered Bronze French Empire style Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a French Empire bouillotte lamp made of silvered bronze. The circular base supports four decorative candle arms with nozzles; ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine 19th Century French Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in Charleston, SC
Incredible 19th century French empire bronze chandelier, now electrified. 10 patinated arms separated by gilt decorated bronze terminating into leaves.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Bronze Female Caryatids Candelabras
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century French empire gilt and patinated bronze female caryatids candelabras à la Grècque.
A beautiful pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabras deco...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Paris Porcelain Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Paris Porcelain vases mounted as lamps with later shades.
Measures: Height 22 x width 9 1/2
CW5130.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Four-Light Basket-Shaped Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style four-light crystal glass, brass, and bronze basket-shaped chandelier from the 1950s. This beautiful piece has decorative details made of bronze and a brass frame ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
French Empire Paris Porcelain Vase Converted into a Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire period porcelain vase. The vase is totally gilt with matte and burnished highlights. The twin handles each show a modeled classical female head and on the front of the vase is a painted classical scene. The scene depicts a Roman/Greek seated young warrior...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Style Four Light Green Painted & Gilt Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Empire style, green paint decorated four-light colza form chandelier, having gilt bronze foliate accents, with torch-form arms. France, circa 1900. 4 lights.
Dimensions: Height 26",...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Niermann Weeks Empire Style Large Crystals and Metal Wall Sconce or Lantern
Located in Plainview, NY
An elegant iron and crystal wall sconce or lantern by Niermann Weeks. The sconce is made of solid metal and crystals in a timeless Empire style fashion. The sconce features a plume c...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Large French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Sconce Attributed to Thomire
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly unusual large scale single French Empire wall sconce, the bronze having the finest chasing and gilding ever produced. A winged cupi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Silvered-Bronze and Cut-Glass Urn Lamp Bases, French Empire Style
Located in London, GB
A pair of silvered-bronze and cut-glass urn lamp bases in the French Empire style
American, 20th century
Measures: Height 55cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
These fine lamp-bases, sha...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, 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
French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style eight-light chandelier, with intricate brass casting that, contrasts with the black to create a striking effect. The fine detai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Light Fixture
Located in Hudson, NY
Designed as a shallow gadrooned bowl with six gilded bronze arms currently not wired and used as a candle fixture but can easily be wired for an additional charge if the customer des...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Three stylized horn-formed rolling candlesticks.
(T-Mr-14-Bas).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930 5 Arm Crystal Glass Chandelier
Located in Surrey, BC
A nice simple chandelier with impressive 5 arm configuration and swooping glass crystal details .
This piece was acquired from a private collection...
Category
1930s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques
Located in IT
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques
This particular pair of appliques, in chiseled and gilded bronze, dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century. Made ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Swan Goose Motif Arms, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice Sconces. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabras bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic stat...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the Unites States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind green and clear ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Italian Empire Wall Sconces, circa 1950
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Gilded empire style wall sconces in the shape of ribbons cast in solid bronze with inlaid hand painted porcelain decor. Produced in the 1950s. Comes with lime green lamp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very Elegant gilt bronze empire style chandelier. Exquisite detail. 4 lights.
France, circa 1920. Measures: Height 27 1/2" Diameter 16"
CW5101.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very important Empire style chandelier. Gilt bronze & patinated bronze. Exquisite Detail. Unusually large size. France, circa 1920.
Measures: Height 48" Diameter 38"
CW5184.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Francois Empire Six Light Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
Francois Empire six-light chandelier, the ornate decoration on the arms, and the arrangement of the chains demonstrate exceptional casting in brass. With beautifully cast floral deta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century Pair of French Empire Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th century) bronze wall sconces with 5 arms, swan tops and a double ball design (Priced as pair).
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Empire style
Marble and golden bronze
Origin France circa 1900
Very good condition. Natural wear.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Flower Basket Motif, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice sconces. Each fixture requires a European E14 candelabra bulb, bulb up to 40 watts. Each wall light has a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement. Mad...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Design of Lady Face Sconces Gold Dore' Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast in bronze with real 18K gold Dore' finish. Contemporary hi-quality castings in fine details. From the original French pair. Look fantastic on the wall a...
Category
1990s North American Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Bronze and Ebonized Caryatid Figural Wall Sconce
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th century) ebonized bronze and gilt trim caryatid wall sconce with a central winged figure holding two candleholders.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Gilt Bronze Female Busts Candlesticks, circa 1820
A beautiful pair of Empire gilt-bronze ormolu c...
Category
Early 19th Century French 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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