Peacock Royal Nymphenburg

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.

For centuries, candles have been used in religious ceremonies such as Hanukkah, provided light to work or read by and more. During meals, the soft glimmer of candles adds warmth to a dinner table that no lighting solution could possibly imitate. With the right antique or vintage candleholder, candles can elevate a table setting or just help support your efforts to create a romantic atmosphere in any room.

When you combine the distinctive glow of a candle with a candleholder that matches the color scheme and decor you’ve painstakingly put together, the result can feel like magic. Finding the candleholder that best meets your needs can be daunting because you’re essentially bringing a piece into your home that is as important as the candle itself. Unsurprisingly, venturesome designers over the years have crafted innumerable alternatives to the traditional form of candleholders, and today a broad array of these decorative objects can be found on 1stDibs, whether they’re 19th-century candleholders made of silver or sleek mid-century modern glass candleholders for an understated accent to your dining area.

Try a tabletop orb candleholder from Lynne Meade Ceramics for a distinctive interpretation of this long-loved furnishing. An alluring pair of Georg Jensen stainless-steel candleholders, featuring pronounced organic curves, or Art Nouveau–informed natural-world motifs, on the other hand, can bring a dose of sculptural elegance to your living room.

If you’re more inclined to opt for antique or vintage pieces, find a collection that includes everything from simple wood taper candleholders to elaborate candelabras of gilt bronze or cut glass on 1stDibs now.