Empire Candelabras
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
Fine Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Miami, FL
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire candlesticks.
We are pleased to present you a gorgeous pair of French Empire period, original gilt bronze candlesticks, finely chiseled of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible pair of spirited early 19th century French Empire bronze candlesticks celebrating the arts with individually cast and applied painters' palettes with brushes, sculptors' hammers and compasses, writers' books, musicians' harps, drama masks...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Metal Four-Light Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gilt-metal four-light candelabras, probably French, c. 1900, designed in the Empire style, the base with acanthus borders, the body having reeded, beaded, fluted decorations ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Candelabras
Materials
Metal
Pair of Antique French Bronze D'ore Carrara Marble Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
These beautiful candelabra have the grace and form sought after by our collectors.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Ormolu and patinated Bronze Candelabra attr. Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 19th century Empire ormolu and patinated bronze candelabra attr. Thomire
Each with a tapering leaf tip cast partially gilt and patinated bronze stem supporting three folia...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair Italian Empire Period Brass 3-Light Figural Candelabras, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Finely cast and supported by circular bases, the tops issuing two arms with single candleholders with a central figural candleholder.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Brass
Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique bronze candelabra with antique crystal, with 3 candleholders. Marble beige base 4" x 6".
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Antique Second Empire Style Five-Arm Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
A large pair of Charles X bronze and marble five-light candelabra now fitted as table lamps. This striking pair combine honey-colored Siena marble and dark crisp scrolling bronze in ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabra, sleek and sophisticated in design, each one fitted with three lights, fire gilt details, raised on an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Marble and Bronze D'ore Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of antique French empire marble and bronze D'ore candelabra.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Candleabra
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pair of French Empire bronze doré three-light candelabra with nautical motifs, dolphins and shells.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Silvered and Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Marble Bases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very large French 19th century Empire style silvered and gilt bronze candelabra with marble bases.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Candelabra
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Pair of fine 19th century Swedish Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra,
circa 1830, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Large Pair of French Empire Period Candelabra, Attributed to Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent large pair of five-light doré bronze and patinated bronze Empire period candelabra, attributed to Claude Galle made in the early 1800s. This pair of candelabra are set ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Important Pair of 1st Period French Empire Pat. & Dore Bronze 6-Light Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous and important pair of antique French 1st period Empire patinated and two-tone matte and burnished doré bronze six-light candelabras. Each modeled with figures of Goddess D...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabra with Caryatids
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Empire bronze and marble candelabra with three branches each. The lights are supported by bronze caryatids with dark brown patina, who are dressed in long tunics à l’antique ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Wonderful Pair Dore Bronze Two-Arm Winged Putti Cherub Neoclassical Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of doré bronze two-arm winged putti cherub neoclassical candelabras
Measures: 18" H x 6.5" W x 4" D.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze Tripod Candelabras, Lion's Paw Feet, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabras. These tall three light patinated bronze candelabras have a tripod base with very detailed lion's paws. The columns are fluted with palmettes...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with
black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
Measures:
Diameter 33cm,
height 62cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Candelabras
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Bronze Three Branched Candelabras
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive pair of gilt and sculpted bronze candelabras with three branches. The stem of each candelabrum is a patinated bronze form of the winged goddess, Victory, who holds a gilt bronze torch in each of her hands. Her head is topped with a gilt bronze vase that transforms into the candelabra branches, which is embellished with griffins and rosettes. At the top of each candelabrum is a peacock standing on a globe, symbolizing the sun and immortality. Victory is standing on a cruciform-shaped base, which has a winged cupid on two sides and a caduceus on the other two sides. The intertwined snakes of the caduceus are a symbol of the Greek god Hermes (or the Roman god Mercury) and is a symbol of peace, eloquence and negotiation. Empire period. Perfect condition.
Our model is inspired by the projects of Charles Percier and Franc¸ois-Leonard Fontaine, famous architects of the Emperor. Their most important work, entitled Recueil de decorations inte´rieurs (Collection of interior decorations), was published in France at the, end of the 19th century. The winged Victories, caduceus and griffins are some of the motifs present in this piece that demonstrate the adoption of Percier and Fontaine’s decorative...
Category
1810s Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Category
20th Century French Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19 Century Russian Empire Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of Russian Empire figural candelabra featuring a patinated bronze caryatid holding a gilt bronze urn mounted with a torch atop her head, with two ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Two Branch Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu figural two branch candelabra. Set on square ormolu socle with cylinder ormolu stem wit...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Unusual Pair of Empire Two Branch Candelabra in Gout d'Egypt or Egyptian Style
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual pair of French Empire or possibly Russian two branch candelabra in the gout d'Egypt or Egyptian style which was extremely popular, circa turn of the 18th century. Set on square patinated bronze bases each female figure stands upon a finely cast ormolu...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843)
A large a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Six-Light Candelabra Attributed to Escalier De Cristal circa 1819
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A remarkable and highly important pair of Empire gilt-bronze and cut-crystal six-light candelabra attributed to Escalier De Cristal De Paris.
French, circa 1819.
This exceptional pair of candelabra can almost certainly be attributed to the workshops of l'Escalier de Cristal de Paris. They relate in particular to a dressing table and chair, now in the collection of the Louvre, which formed part of a toilette suite that was exhibited by L'Escalier de Cristal at the 1819 Paris exhibition of the Produits de l'industrie. The present candelabra may very likely have been made as part of this suite.
In 'Baccarat: La Legende du Cristal', it states: "A l'Exposition des produits de l'industrie française de 1819, Mme Désarnaud présente une toilette, une cheminée, deux grands candélabres, deux tables, une grande pendule et plusieurs vases, en cristal et bronze...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These bronze candelabra were created in France in circa 1810, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor. The candelabra combine neoclassical and ancient Egyptian motifs, in a manner charac...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and antique silvered. Columns as holder for
four sweeping candelabra arms.
Diameter: 30 cm
height: 52 cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Candelabras
Materials
Brass
Two Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This majestic pair of gilt and patinated bronze candelabra are designed in the Empire style, which was popularized under Napoleon I (1769-1821). The art of the Empire period (1804-1814, 1815), when Napoleon was in power, often focused on the military and on lauding Napoleon’s campaigns. In furniture and the decorative arts, Imperial Roman motifs on the theme of war became increasingly fashionable, such as classical trophies, collections of weaponry and armour taken from a defeated enemy, and laurel wreaths, which were symbols of victory.
Each candelabrum features five lights, composed of scrolling, foliate patinated branches, topped by gilt drip-pans, and patinated urn-shaped capitals with gilt sconces. The patinated stems of the candelabra are decorated with gilt laurel leaf wreaths. Patinated sculptures of the Classical Roman figures Mars, the god of war, and Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and strategy in war, Stand next to the candelabra stems. They are dressed in full body armour...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Rouge Marble Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and rouge marble column 6 arm candelabra with 3 lion figures on base. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Design, Empire, Candelabras, Patinated Bronze, France, 19th C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Empire 19th century bronze candelabras depicting insects. These are quite possibly the finest cast bronze pieces on the market. Each having a center column formed rod with wi...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved. Column-shaft as holder for four Sweeping
candelabra arms.
Diameter:30cm
height:52 cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Candelabras
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Period Doré Bronze Figural Candelabras, Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent pair of French Empire period doré bronze figural candelabra. Each of these beautiful five armed candelabras are meticulously cast and hand-chased with the finest detail...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Two-Tone Pair Fine Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze two-tone pair of fine candelabras.
Category
20th Century French Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Magnificent Pair of Gilt-Bronze Figural Empire Period Candelabra, circa 1815
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A magnificent and highly important pair of gilt bronze figural empire period candelabra.
French, circa 1815.
A Magnificent and Highly Important Pair of gilt bronze Figural Empi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Two Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These magnificent candelabra were cast entirely of gilt bronze in the French Empire period of the early 19th century. Each candelabrum is formed as a cornucopia of scrolled branches holding four lights with drip pans, set on a single torch-form stem, held aloft by a Classical style figure.
The figures, one male and one female, are shown draped in swathed clothing, with the male figure depicted holding a quill in his other hand, whilst the female figure clutches a delicate bouquet of flowers. The figures stand upon circular bases, set onto ovoid vases which featured fluted details and central bands of laurel leaf motifs. The vases themselves stand on undulating roundels formed of acanthus leaves, which are further set atop square-form plinths.
Classically influenced works were popular during the French Empire period, when the Emperor Napoleon I sought to create a place in history for France alongside the ancient dynasties...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Italy Late 18th Century Pair Empire Brass Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italian late 18th Century pair of Empire burnished brass candleholders
This pair of antique brass candleholders was handcrafted by Italian...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Brass
20th Century Seven Lights Italian Solid Silver Candelabra Empire revival
By Arno Fassi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Magnificent Empire style candelabra in solid 800 silver
The base is square with lion paw-shaped feet.
Two frames with the typical palmettes of the Empire style frame a second smaller square decorated with 4 central flowers. The stem of the candelabra is a statue of a woman (goddess) with her hair gathered and holding a cornucopia in one hand ending with the main candle holder.
The candelabra has 7 lights.
The arms of the candelabra, made with the casting technique, have candle holders and wax collectors also made with the casting technique and finely chiseled.
The central candle holder stands out for its height which surpasses all the other candle holders, making the candelabra slim and balanced in shape and proportions.
A classic example of high quality Italian silverware suitable to be placed in elegant and prestigious homes.
Made in Milan - Italy by Fassi silverware
Silver 800°°/°°° Candelabra Empire...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Candelabras
Materials
Silver
Pair of Bronze Empire Candelabras, France, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant pair of bronze Empire style candelabras with fine details, raised on paw feet. Beautifully oxidized Verdigris patina.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Charles X (19th Century) bronze dore 3 arm candelabras with candlestick bases in two sections. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Superb Antique Italian Neoclassical Empire Bronze Figural Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A pair of superb antique Italian empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural candelabra lamps with royal markings, 19th century. Measure: Overall height 38.50”.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Four French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This magnificent set of four antique candelabra come as a pair of pairs: one slightly larger pair and one smaller pair. They date from roughly 1805, during the period of the Napoleon...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Candelabra with Putto Décor, Marble and gilt Bronze, poss. German, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-armed candelabra with putto out of gilt bronze on a grey and white marble base.
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Bronze French Empire Style Candelabrum
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Bronze French Empire style candelabrum.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Ram Head Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire bronze dore 6 arm candelabras with 3 ram heads and 3 claw feet supported on a 6 sided triangular base. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French gilt bronze and patinated bronze four-light candelabra.
France, early 19th century.
Measures: H 22 in.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candelabra Made circa 1800, Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of French candelabra made circa year 1800. Dark patinated and gilt bronze. On columns are two mermaids sitting. The columns have ornaments of roosters facing each other.
At...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu candelabras. Each candelabra is raised by a square base with ormolu supports and foliate design...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble Four-Light Candelabrum
Located in Houston, TX
Empire style four light candelabrum, cupid-form standards poised on
Turned half spheres, holding a bow in one hand and an arrow supporting
Candle arms set with anthemion-molded cup...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Pair of French Empire Bronze Two-Tone Patinated Figural Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French Empire bronze two-tone gilt and patinated, figural 4-arm candelabras.
Category
20th Century French Empire Candelabras
Materials
Bronze
Empire candelabras for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire candelabras 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 candelabras created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire candelabras 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 candelabras, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, and Arno Fassi. 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 candelabras differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $148,649 while the average work can sell for $6,528.
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