Empire Candle Lamps
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
19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Candle Lamps
Materials
Crystal
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 Candle Lamps
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Empire Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very large and impressive empire gilt and patinated bronze table bouillotte or candelabra lamp. A green painted and gilt metal lamp shade with gilt bronze mounts of medusa heads an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Lamps
Materials
Bronze
Fine Quality Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze and patinated bronze lamps on square base. Each of the four sides of the base having a reef design. The rest of the...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Lamps
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 1870 Pair of Empire Candle Holders Lamps Ormolu with Gray Dotted Granite
Located in Miami, FL
French empire pair of candle holders lamps.
Exceptional pair of antique candleholders, created in Paris France during the imperial period of Napoleon III, circa 1870. They was designed with French empire neoclassical patterns, masterfully crafted with parts made up in gilt bronze ormolu and patinated bronze. Mounted in fluted columns pedestals carved from gray dotted Granite, with polished finish. Embellished with garlands and putties mounted in a four square and stepped bases.
Weight: Combined of 12 Pounds (5.45 Kilos).
Measurements: 15 Height by 4.50 Length by 5.15 Width Inches, (38 x 11.43 x 13.08 Cm).
French Empire
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (1808-1873) was Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870 under the name of Napoleon III. In a way, the artistic codes of the Napoleon III style, also called Second Empire style, were presented at the Exhibition of 1844, during the reign of Louis-Philippe d'Orléans. The second Empire style, also known as the Napoleon III style, is a highly eclectic style of architecture and decorative arts, which uses elements of many different historical styles, and also made innovative use of modern materials, such as iron frameworks and glass skylights. It flourished during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III in France (1852–1870) and had an important influence on architecture and decoration in the rest of Europe and North America. Major examples of the style include the Opéra Garnier (1862–1871) in Paris by Charles Garnier, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the Church of Saint Augustine (1860–1871), and the Philadelphia City Hall (1871–1901). The architectural style was closely connected with Haussmann's renovation of Paris carried out during the Second Empire; the new buildings, such as the Opéra, were intended as the focal points of the new boulevards.
Comfort was the first priority of Second Empire furniture...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Candle Lamps
Materials
Granite, Bronze, Ormolu
Italy Mid-18th Century Empire Pair Brass Candle Holders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy Mid-18th Century pair of brass Empire five lights candleholders or table lamps
This wonderful pair of brass candle holders, is a magnificent hand made work by Italian artisan...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Empire Candle Lamps
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Empire Dore Bronze Rock Crystal Neoclassical Figure Candlestick Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Empire doré bronze rock crystal neoclassical figure candlestick lamp
Stamped made in France on base
Completely rewired.
Category
20th Century French Empire Candle Lamps
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
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Early 20th Century Crystal Glass Candlestick by Baccarat
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Glass candlestick
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Twisted columns
A similar pair in stock if three are needed.
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A large pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
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Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
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Riedel x Mesa Postmodern Silver & Crystal Candlestick Candle Holder, Italy, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
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H 9 in W 5 in D 5 in
Pair Italian Heavy Brass Empire Style Candle Sconces
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Previously Available Items
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Gilt Bronze French Empire Candlestick Desk Table Lamps in Gold
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Pair of French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra Lamps
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Bouillotte Lamp Candle holder Gilded Bronze side Table Lamp Antique light LA CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire style bouillotte table lamp candleholder in gold color on bronze.
This table lamp has a centre pipe that holds the shade and which allows the shade height to be adjusted up or down. This adjustable feature is taken from the original candle burning lamps of the 18th century.
It has a ring finial with Swans holding the shade
and swans holding the candles. The swans from the 1st Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte , his wife Josephine symbol.
in 1803 Josephine actively competed with the Muséum d’Histoire naturelle to obtain specimens of flora and fauna.
As well as plants she managed to gain kangaroos, emus and black swans, which built nests of sticks and reeds and laid fertile eggs following their arrival in the lake at Château Malmaison. Josephine was so pleased with her swans she adopted them as an emblem about the house and gardens, in her bedroom, on her furniture, furnishings and ceramics.
This bouillotte is the perfect table lamp to add ambiance "Ambience" to any room. it looks amazing on top of a console or enfilade, an office desk, in an entryway, living room, bedroom etc.
Bouillotte was a French card game that was very popular during the late 1700s. The originals were candle burning lamps that had a bowl shaped base where the game chips were stored. A central tube surrounded by candle holders (candelabra) held a metal shade. The bouillotte shade...
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Early 20th Century French Empire Candle Lamps
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Metal
H 32.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Empire candle lamps for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire candle lamps 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 candle lamps created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bronze, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire candle lamps 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 candle lamps, popular names associated with this style include Alexandre Vossion, and Baccarat. 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 candle lamps differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $560 and tops out at $12,995 while the average work can sell for $3,062.