Empire Candlesticks
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 of 19th Century French Empire Bronze Garnitures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze and dore bronze compote/tazas with finely chased details. Can be used to hold a topiary or a thick candle. Base is 7" Top is 11.5".
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s.
Located in Knivsta, SE
A very Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze. Empire, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze with dark patinated column. French Empire during the 1820s.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique Early 19thC French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine pair of antique early 19th century gilt bronze French Neoclassical Empire period candlesticks, circa 1820.
The candlesticks having removable sconces and globular capitals...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
A Pair of Elegant Empire Candlesticks, Gilded and Patinated Brass, 1820s France
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of exquisite Empire candlesticks which combine gilt and patinated brass. Made in 1820s France. Various intricate rose, floral and leaf patterns adorn the bases in gilt brass. ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Pair of French Empire Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of French Empire gilt and dark patinated bronze candlesticks from the 1820s. Decorated with flower baskets and bunches of grapes and a dark patinated column.
Wear ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Pair of Exquisite Petite Empire Candlesticks
Located in Toronto, CA
An exquisite pair of early nineteenth century small candlesticks from France, made of gilt bronze on small, square alabaster bases. These candlesticks feature neoclassical columns sw...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candlesticks, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candlesticks originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fu...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Slate, Bronze
19th century gilt bronze French Empire candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
An elegant pair of French candlesticks in gilded bronze.
Beautiful fine quality; decorated with acanthus leaves, palmettes and flowers.
Original gilding.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Set of Brass Travel Candlesticks Chamber-stands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two small travel candlesticks in brass. The set can easily disassemble into 4 parts, two bases and two candleholders. The four parts can then be assembled into a pair of candl...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair of large Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra. France 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of large and elegant Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra, made in France during the 1820s. Gilded and dark patinated bronze. Can be used as large candlesticks or ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
A Pair of French 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French 19th century Empire gilt and bronze candlesticks.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlesticks
Located in Stockholm, SE
A decorative pair of empire style candlesticks in gilt bronze and dark green marble. France, end of the 19th century. Nice condition.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period decorations.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1810s.
Located in Knivsta, SE
A very Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1810s. Richly decorated in period flowers and check patterns. Beautiful wide base.
Wear consist...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Russian Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks in the manner Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A Pair of Russian Empire gilt bronze candlesticks produced in France / Russia around 1810 in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Of substantial size and expertly cast in matt and ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Hoofed Faun Feet, circa 1890
Located in Miami, FL
A fine Pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks on hoofed faun feet, late 19th century.
A fluted column rises on three cloven-hoofed hocked faun legs and feet.
These antique c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design with flowers and leaves. Cool and unusual composition bet...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Candlesticks in gilt & dark patinated bronze. Empire from 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Candlesticks in gilt & dark patinated bronze in Empire. Made in France during the 1920s. Beautifully decorated with leaf ornaments and with a dark patinated column i...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and a dark patinated column in the center of the cand...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period decorations.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Royal Copenhagen, pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks. 1962.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen, a pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks in porcelain.
1962.
Model 1/15.
Marked.
In perfect condition.
First factory quality.
Dimensions: Height 22.5 cm x 7.8 cm.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated with leaves and other period ornaments as well as a dar...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Detailed Ovoid Form Candle Holders
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Ovoid Form Candle Holders/ Candlesticks. Highly detailed antiquity.
Category
1810s Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
c1810 Pair Antique Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks/ Candle Holders. Highly detailed. When I saw these I was thinking that they are stunning.
Category
1810s Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Gilded French Empire Candlesticks with charming decor from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of Gilded French Empire Candlesticks with charming decor from the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and other period empire decorations.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of gilt Empire Candlesticks from 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of gilt Empire Candlesticks from France. made during the 1820s. Good gilt and with period Empire decor of flowers, grapes and check pattern.
Wear consistent with a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Two pairs of candleholders in malm, which is a brass alloy with added copper. The cobber gives the brass a darker color.
The hei...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
19th Century Gold French Empire Pair of Embossed Brass Candlesticks
Located in Savannah, GA
This graceful pair of antique French candlesticks are made of hand crafted brass and are in very good condition. Details include downward tapering on fluted shafts supported by a rou...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
19th c Second French Empire Pair of Silver Plated Brass Candlesticks
Located in Savannah, GA
This classic pair of antique French candlesticks are hand crafted of silver plate and brass Details include downward tapering on fluted shafts supported by a round heavily embossed f...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Antique Heavy French Brass Empire Candlesticks, a Pair
Located in Malibu, CA
This pair of beautiful brass candlesticks have classical simplicity.
Finely crafted in the distinct style of the 1st empire period in France.
Quite heavy with a smooth patina,
A...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair Empire Style Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of bronze candlesticks feature Classical motifs including acanthus leaves and reeded tapering shafts.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks, Gilded and Patinated Bronze, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Beautiful Pair of Empire Candlesticks, Gilded and Patinated Bronze.
Richly ornamented base with flowing leaf-pattern. Dark patinated fluted column which then continues into a gil...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Gold French Empire Pair of Gilded Bronze Candle Holders, Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders with loose candle cuffs, made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candlesticks have downwardly tapering, fluted shafts, supported by a round footplate. The base is particularized with palmettes and leaves. The Parisian décor pieces represent the First French Empire time...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Antique Candlesticks Empire Pattern by WMF Art Nouveau Silverplated
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Beautiful pair of antique candlesticks by WMF are stunning examples of silverplated pewter craftsmanship, made during the Art Nouveau period around 1900. They are part of the "Empire...
Category
1890s German Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Silver Plate, Pewter
Vintage Gilded Brass Bronze Figural Elephant Small Candlesticks, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gilded brass bronze figural elephant small candlesticks - a pair. Item features a gold gilded finish, great elephant form casting, nice small Size, very nice vintage item, gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair of Early to Mid-19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine pair of bronze Empire style candlesticks.
In excellent original condition.
France, early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
By Thomire & Cie.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks.
With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns.
The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century Empire Style Brass Style Candlesticks
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of brass candlesticks. Beautifully decorated with stylized flowers and a fluted stem in Empire style. The candlesticks date from around 1880-1890, o...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Very Handsome Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Brass Candlesticks, Circa 1820
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome & tall pair of early 19th century French Empire gilt brass candlesticks.
Both showing reeded columns rising up from circular bases decorated by hand with finely chiseled motifs, to similarly addressed urn-shaped nozzles with detachable bobeches.
Constructed in three sections, with the nozzle and column firmly attached to the base by means of a full length threaded metal post...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair of Early 19th Century Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, French Empire
Located in Knivsta, SE
Excellent pair of early 19th century candlesticks in gilt bronze. These neoclassical Empire Candlesticks are made in France, circa 1820. Un...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
French Empire Brass Candlestick Lamp
Located in Canton, MA
Early 19th Century French Empire brass candlestick with ornate pressed patterns. Mounted as a table lamp on a wooden base. A lovely addition to a small desk or a shallow table...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Candlesticks, Ca 1810
Located in Stockholm, SE
A charming pair of candlesticks. Most of the candlesticks made during this period, Louis XVl, Directoire and Empire used bronze that were either gilt or dark-patinated. These candles...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 1st Empire Brass Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This pair of brass candlesticks are a wonderful find! Crafted in the distinctive style of Claude Galle during the 1st empire period in France, circa 1810. T...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair Russian Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks
Located in New York, US
Our pair of ormolu bronze candlesticks feature acanthus leaf nozzles emanating from Roman style military helmets with plumage, with reeded acanthus stems...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Figural Candlestick, 1800-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Patinated and parcel gilt cast bronze figural candlestick on a circular marble base with square plinth. The figure, standing on one foot, holds a leafy form fire gilt candle cup abov...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks on Hoofed Faun Feet
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of French empire style gilt bronze candlesticks on hoofed faun feet, late 19th century.
A pair of fine French Empire-style gilt bronze candleholders. A fluted column rises on three cloven-hoofed hocked faun legs and feet. These antique candleholders...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze Candlesticks, circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
A superb pair of early 19th C French empire bronze candlesticks.
This very fine pair of early 19th century French candlesticks are...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French late Empire candlesticks. The bronze having a wonderfully subdued gilt finish from years of rubbing. This finish is matched by a subtle and unusual green patin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Two Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain Candlesticks with Lion Heads
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Two Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain candlesticks with lion heads.
Dated 1969-1974. Model number 1/15.
Measures: 23 x 8 cm.
In excellent ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Porcelain
Gilt Bronze Ink Stand with Candlestick, French Empire
Located in Knivsta, SE
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze ink stand with candlestick. French empire, probably made in Paris around 1810. The gilt bronze with some patina.
Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Antique Austro-Hungarian Silver Candlesticks with Chased Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of silver candlesticks are hallmarked by an unknown maker, and believed to have originated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and date to approximately 1850, and done in the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Silver
18th-19th Century French Empire Pair of Antique Gilded Bronze Candle Holders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders made of hand crafted matted and polished burnt gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed sticks is composed with a face mascarons, a crowned man and woman, carrying a mug with flowers, loose cuffs supported by a round plinth, standing on square base. The Parisian décor...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Gold French Pair of Bronze Egyptian Candle Holders, Marble Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of Egyptian women figure candle holders made of handcrafted marble and patinated bronze, in good condition. The candle sticks are resting on an urn-shaped base. The particularized Parisian décor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Marble, Metal, 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 Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Pair of Antique Gilded Bronze Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of dark patinated candle sticks made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candle holders are particularized with flowers decoration, resting on a tripod foot. The Parisian décor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Empire candlesticks for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire candlesticks 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 candlesticks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, lighting, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire candlesticks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original candlesticks, popular names associated with this style include Alexandre Vossion, Fabergé, and WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. 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 candlesticks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $313 and tops out at $55,746 while the average work can sell for $2,494.
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