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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
Black Lacquered Wood Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
Black lacquered wood empire style table lamp stencil with gilded motifs
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Wood

Fine French Neoclassical Russian Baltic Empire Doré Bronze Crystal Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful French Made Elegant Russian / Baltic Empire / Neoclassical Style Doré Bronze And Crystal 8 Candelabra Light Chandelier, Wiring Is Up To Date. ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Rarity Pair Low Plafonnier Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Lustre Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Presenting a pair of exquisite basket chandeliers, designed to complement each other perfectly. Both chandeliers have been thoughtfully restored and revitalized to their original gra...
Category

1930s European Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Genovese Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
An Italian crystal chandelier in Empire style made with a guilded structure adorned with swags of crystals that glitter beautifully when lit up. This particular chandelier is free fr...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Metal

19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great quality 19th century gilt bronze lamp with finely chased neoclassical detailing. Tripod base supports a tapered shaft with decorative mounts, surmounted by a 'petal' form top...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Big Crystal Beaded Empire Dome Chandelier circa 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light, will be rewired and ready to hang. We use certified UL US sockets and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Strands and strands of crystal beads from tiny t...
Category

Early 1900s Czech Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Ten-Light Crystal Chandelier / Gilt Brass Frame
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 19th century French Empire style tear drop cut crystal / brass frame twelve light hanging chandelier. The chandelier is in great working condition. Rewired for US used. no speci...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Steel Figural Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine and unique Antique French Empire style gilt bronze and steel multi light figural chandelier of great detail embellished with gilt bronze Neoclassical kneeling figures of women depicting flames which represent light. This fine chandelier is further adorned with unusual gilt bronze neoclassical motifs, reticulated gilt...
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Steel

French Bronze Bows Crystal Prisms Empire Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light each. Will be rewired with certified US UL sockets for the United States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Bronze detail bows with ...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Italy 1970 Pair Post-Modern Brass 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 by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Huge Empire Crystal Tiered Bronze Sconces, c 1940
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing light each. These will be newly rewired with certified US UL sockets for the United States and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Leaves in Murano glass on the deta...
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of French 1920s Empire Style Bronze and Opaline Glass Table Lamps, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style bronze and opaline glass candelabra table lamps from the early 20th century, with scrolling arms and volutes. Created in France during the first quarter of the 20th century, each of this pair of table lamps attracts our attention with its bronze scrolling arms resting upon a white opaline glass pedestal. Raised on a tripartite base accented with delicate volutes, the candelabras have been rewired for the US. With their Empire silhouette...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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

Important Bronze Chandelier with Flute Form
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important bronze chandelier with flute form, 12 lights, 20th century. With chain - H: 130 cm, D: 70 cm. without chain - H: 105, D: 70 cm.
Category

20th Century European Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous two lights wall light in pink lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970' and then left in...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Trajan's Column Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century Empire Trajan's column ormolu candlesticks in the manner of P.-P. Thomire (1751-1843): Pair of large Empire ormolu candlesticks, the stem ressembling th...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French Empire Parcel-Gilt-Bronze Candelabra Lamps
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire bronze candelabra table lamp with paw feet neoclassical 32.5 inches tall (these lamps have been newly rewired).   
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Spring loaded Russian Candleholders with Crystals and Cut Glass shades
Located in Canton, MA
Pair Russian candleholders with Colonial style crystals and glass shades. Marked in Cyrrilic, 1833, during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I Material: Brass,Crystal Style: Traditional...
Category

Early 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Vintage 3 Arm Brass & Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique French Napoleonic tole lamp has gold toned brass base and arms. Arms have ornate s curve structures. Each arm has candlestick style bulb socket at ends. Top of lamp has eagle...
Category

20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Large 19th Century French Empire Period Floor Candelabrum
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinary period Empire gilded gold dore bronze rolling floor candelabrum. Born in France, the stunning Neo-classical style architectural antique...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Extremely Fine Pair of Large 19th C French Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze large two light sconces. Fine Egyptian heads below the candles with a finely cast Eagle at the to...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Nine Light Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire style chandeliers tend to be quite hefty and large, This bronze example is unusually delicate. The dished circular pan is hung from three flat pierced suspension chains, and s...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi, with its marble base, resume the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style table lamps made by Stiffel. Brass columns are turned with large ceramic fonts in white trimmed in gold. Bases are decorated with dentils on a square ba...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair Antique French Empire Bronze D'ore Wall-Lights, circa 1830-1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique bronze D'ore French Empire wall-lights, circa 1830-1850.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Monumental Empire Style Crystal and Bronze Sconces, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of gilt bronze and crystal 1930s or older, waterfall sconces in empire style. Each fixture requires three European E14 candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall light...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Metal

Monumental 20th Century Classic Cascade Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
Monumental 20th century classic cascade chandelier with gold metal banding and glass beads. Have included an image of the chandelier in its original Location, Belgravia, London from...
Category

Late 20th Century European Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal

Montgolfiè Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Ceiling Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Lovingly Restored Antique Chandelier: Rekindled Beauty from Berlin This meticulously restored antique chandelier, crafted with care in Berlin, has been reimagined to grace your space with its timeless charm. With meticulous attention to detail, it has been thoughtfully brought back to life, offering a blend of history and contemporary elegance. Key Features: - Total Height: 110 cm - Height without Chain: 90 cm - Diameter: 65 cm - Weight (Approximately): 10 kg - Number of Lights: 6-light bulb sockets: E14 & E27 Enhanced with renewed electrical wiring that suits US standards, this chandelier is re-wired and ready to hang, embracing a new life while preserving its classic character. The meticulous restoration process ensures that no crystal is missing, with each piece hand-knotted to perfection. The cabling has been entirely renewed, breathing new vitality into its form. Measuring a total height of 110 cm, with a height without the chain at 90 cm and a diameter of 65 cm, this chandelier commands attention as a focal point of refinement. Accommodating both E14 and E27 bulbs, it offers a harmonious balance of radiance and warmth. As it embarks on its journey to your space, rest assured that it will arrive safely in a specially crafted wooden box, designed to ensure secure transport. Its universal wiring guarantees seamless compatibility worldwide, requiring no modifications even in the USA. Prior to its departure, the chandelier will undergo meticulous cleaning, accompanied by the addition of any missing crystals. With its renewed glow and completeness, it is ready to grace your environment with a radiant aura. By choosing this chandelier, you are acquiring more than just a piece of decor – you are investing in the expertise and devotion of a specialty chandelier store. With years of experience and a genuine passion for these exquisite pieces, we bring you a chandelier that encapsulates both history and heart. Indulge in the opulence of the Montgolfiè Empire Sac...
Category

1920s European Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Empire Style Pair of Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
Empire style crystal prism wall sconces, 20th c., having reflective white metal wall plate, fitted with gilt metal mounts, hung with strands of hexago...
Category

20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Bouillotte Lamp with Green Tole Shade
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French Empire etched brass bouillotte lamp, originally and oil lamp that has been electrified. With three arms below a green painted adjustable tole shade, the body an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass, Zinc

20th Century Empire Style Splendid Chandelier or Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Splendid chandelier or candelabra in French Empire style. Bronze patinated. There from a with eight swans designed light arms. (F-Ks-3).
Category

20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Cut Glass 3-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful antique large French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with 3-light bulbs. Dimensions: Diameter 13.8 in / 35 cm Height 37.41 in (...
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Metal

Empire Chandelier Dore Bronze and Crystal having Ten Lights
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Empire bronze and crystal chandelier having 10 lighted arms.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Baltic 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality Baltic 19th century Empire st. ormolu, patinated bronze and crystal chandelier. The two tiered eight arm twenty four light chandelier is centere...
Category

19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze bouillotte lamp with 4 arms and a black tole lampe shade.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pr. French Empire Period Patinated & Dore Bronze Candlesticks Turned to Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic pair of French empire period patinated and dore bronze candlesticks mounted as lamps. Each is beautifully cast, hand-chased, and hand-chiseled with the finest quality of burnished and matted dore bronze mounts. The fluted columnar bodies are beautiful with a dark patina which is offset with magnificent rich dore bronze mounts. The bodies are fluted with acanthus leaf dore bronze mounts which terminate at either end. The tops are supported by multiple patinated bronze lions paws. The bases are square with dore bronze medusa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Carved Italian Giltwood Three-Arm Sconce by Randy Esada Designs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Carved Italian giltwood three-arm sconce by Randy Esada Designs.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Empire Lighting

Materials

Giltwood

French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Small Swedish Six-Light Chandeliers with Brass Frames, Empire Style
Located in Virum, DK
A pair of small Swedish six-light chandeliers with brass frames. Electrical. Empire style, late 20th century.
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Early 20th C Empire Style Six Light Chandelier
Located in Troy, MI
Early 20th C Empire style six light chandelier Found in Belgium, this circa 1930s empire style chandelier features six candle style lights surrounding a basket form bowl created w...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Brass

19th Century Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Twenty Four Light Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Twenty four light Chandelier of pierced dished form, 19th Century, the crown form corona over foliate cast linked chains, suspending a circular pierced dish cast with classical masks...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Early 20th Century Empire Brass and Bronze Table Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An early 20th French Empire style table lamp has a concave tri-form bronze plinth base set atop a slightly larger piece of marble in the same shape. The upper bowl portion is support...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads. Each sconce ha...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair Signed E F. Caldwell Neo-Classical Style Bronze Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of signed Caldwell bronze sconces are in the neo-classical style. They feature Antique motifs including anthemion, and leopard heads.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Chandelier in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
A small four light two tone chandelier in the Empire style.  
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Table Lamp of Bronze and Flame Shaped Frosted Glass
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful Empire-style table lamp on a bronze plinth with a central pine cone rises on three legs with paw feet topped by three bronze sphinx torsos, supporting the dark green t...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Figural French Empire Style Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of figural French Empire style table lamps. Rouched black shades are trimmed with a rope twist detail and gold gimp. Columns are topped with cast brass acanthus plumes above large cut glass crystals. Opposing cast cherubs...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire Figural Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabrum
Located in Montreal, QC
Crisply modelled as a standing godess, supporting ebonised and gilt arms, her slender body clad in a clinging toga with gilt tassels , arm bands, and sandals. She stands on an elabo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Large Gilt Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
A large very well cast and gilt bronze chandelier or plafonnier from the late 19th to early 20th century. The large acanthus leafed ceiling rose suspending five rope twist bars, whic...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Historicizing Brass Three-Armed Chandelier, Turn of the 19th and 20th Century
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Brass three-armed chandelier in a historicizing style from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. It was made in the territory of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The chandelier i...
Category

20th Century Austrian Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century. The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Oak

French Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Empire patinated and gilt bronze six-light chandelier with acanthus leaf decoration and acorn finials.
Category

1880s European Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair Charles X Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair Charles X Ormolu candlestick lamps. Fine pair finely chased gilt metal candlesticks with grey painted candle sleeves above anthemion capitals with ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Metal Opaline Noire Glass Electrical Converted Oil Lamp
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style tall large oil lamp that was converted to an electrical one. It consists of a cylindrical long chimney lamp clear shade attached to a brass burner holder; this in turn is connected to a semilunar shaped milk glass font joined to a faceted opaline noire glass conical shaped body. A gold metal band are between both glass parts. There are two long gilt metal scroll formed handles adorned with a relief of acanthus leaves at the upper and bottom part in each side of the conical body. Also, there are a relief of flowers and branches of leaves in the center of it. This conical body is supported by a patinated heavy metal pedestal embellished by acanthus leaves, gilt metal ornaments...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Opaline Glass

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Oil Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze & patinated bronze oil lamp.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Italian Completely Beaded Basket Crystal Prisms Silver Chandelier, c 1940
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing four lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning crystal prisms on top and in bottom. This chandelier has two widths... 19.5 and 14 inches. A...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Italian Florentine Hall Glass Chandelier by Banci Gilt and Green Wrought Iron
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Banci Firenze wrought iron verdigris painted lantern with glass bowl 1980s. Elegant three-light vintage bell jar lantern with a verdigris scav...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Iron

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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