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 Late 19th Century Candlesticks - French Empire Style - Ormolu gilt Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant pair of French gilt bronze candlesticks, circa 1880. These finely cast candlesticks feature a tapering column with detailed foliate ornamentation, resting on a tripod base wi...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair, French Empire Gilt Bronze Crane Motif Candlesticks Circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, circa 1815.
This exquisite pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks, crafted circa 1815, embodies the opulence and grandeur of the Empire style. Each candlestick feat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Patinated Bronze Sculptures Candelabra Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of heavy patinated bronze sculpture candelabra, France, mid-19th century. Two female sculptures holding a candleholder raised on a b...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$2,208 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Pair of Exquisite French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Light Candelabra ca 1810
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
These candlesticks are ornate artifacts from the French Empire period, which dates back to the early 19th century, typically considered as the reign of Napoleon I from 1804 to 1814. ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Gold, Bronze
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
4 sterling silver candlesticks - Empire period circa 1810
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine set of 4 Empire sterling silver candlesticks, beautiful early 19th century production decorated ornamented with acanthus leaves, circa 1810.
Each candlestick bear the French h...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
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
18th - 19th Century French Pair of Antique Empire 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 French Pair of Bronze Egyptian Candle Holders - Marble Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of Egyptian women figure candle holders made of hand crafted 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
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
$1,228 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Pair of Brass Empire Style Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century brass candlesticks, Empire in taste, like miniature columns to add instant glamor to a mantel or table. Typical of the French Empire period, inspiration from anci...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
$1,100 / set
Elegant French Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
An elegant pair of 19th century French Empire-style candlesticks, crafted in gilt and patinated bronze. Each...
Category
19th Century 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
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Female Figures Vestals Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful French early 19th century Empire pair of ormolu and patinated bronze candlesticks with female figure decoration in the manner of Claude Galle:
Each candlestick with a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of 2 bronze and black stone candlesticks in Empire style, France ca. 1870
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1870 / 2 candlesticks / bronze, stone / Antique / Empire
A set of two French Empire candlesticks in bronze with feet and body of black natural stone.
The striking contrast...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire style brass candlesticks from the 1800’s with a beautiful silhouette and nice heft in the patinated metal to add intrigue to a mantel or dining table. Subtle,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Iridescent Glazed Cassolettes, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
The tops turn over to be candlesticks.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$18,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of fine French Empire style brown patinated bronze candlesticks from the Napoleon III period. A fluted column beautifully decorated with ivy, rises on a tripod with claw-shape...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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 Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$1,750 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass Candlesticks, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of antique French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks from ca. 1890.
A beautiful and compact-sized pair of French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks with removable bobeches (...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
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.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Antique Heavy French Brass Empire Candlesticks, a pair
Located in Malibu, CA
This pair of beautiful brass candlesticks have classical simplicity.
Exquisitely crafted in the distinct style of the 1st empire period in France.
Quite heavy with a smooth patina, ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
$397 Sale Price
50% Off
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 French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze & Brass Candlesticks
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt, Patinated, and Burnished Bronze & Brass Candlesticks, circa 1920
Elegant pair of French Empire style candlesticks, crafted from a harmonious combin...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze, Brass
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
$832 Sale Price / set
46% Off
19th Century French Candlestick
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French candlestick is a stunning example of French craftsmanship, made of brass with intricate detailing. The candlestick features a textured body resembling scales...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair of Early 19th c Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Early 19th C Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes. With a classic egg and dart pattern on the rim, the pair are adorned with two sets of winged male figures. The pair rest atop rec...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$12,000 / set
A pair (2) of figural Empire candelabra candles. Paris, 19th century.
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair (2) of figural Empire candelabra candles. Paris, 1815s
Gilt bronze. Recessed pedestal base with palmette and floral decoration on a square plinth. The pair, dressed in antiqu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Empire Candlesticks, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of elegant Empire candlesticks crafted from partially fire-gilded bronze, dating to the early 19th century. Each candlestick stands on a round base, featuring a tapered, flute...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$6,971 / set
Pair Of Large Empire-Style Silver Candle Holders, Hermann Südfeld, Vienna, c1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Two large, elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, round foot grooved on the sides, smooth shaft raised in the centre with a profiled constriction, shaft widening conica...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Silver
Candlesticks France Empire Gilt Bronze
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candlesticks made in France during the late Empire period. Made from gilt- bronze. Standing on a round foot with a baluster shaped stem. Loose cuffs.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French fire-gilded candleholders in the Empire style. They feature acanthus leaf decorations. The candle sleeves are removable.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$4,500 / set
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks after C. Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of excellent early 19th century French empire gilt bronze candlesticks in the style of Claude Galle (1758-1815):
A tapering stem with rich trelliswork relief divided into thr...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks with Patinated Figures, France, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire candlesticks with patinated figures, France 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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
Princely Pomp Candlestick After Pierre Philippe Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely finely chased and cast bronze. Fully sculpted figures (Viktoria). Carrying on the head and supporting with the hands torch-shaped shaft with 12 cornucopia, curved lighthous...
Category
20th Century French Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$8,270 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
A refined pair of Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze, crafted in France around the 1820s. The design features the elegant, flu...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century Candlesticks - Empire Style - Gilded and Patinated Bronze - France
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant pair of French candlesticks in Empire style, circa 1880–1890.
Made of finely cast and engraved bronze with a beautiful contrast between the gilded and dark patinated sections...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19 Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent pair of early 19 century French empire gilt bronze neoclassical candlesticks.
A tapering stem with rich and finely chased ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and high quality pair of French early 19th century 1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks, circa 1805. This wonderful pair of ewer designed candlest...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders in fire-gilded bronze. They feature decorations of fluting and acanthus leaves. The candle sleeves are removable.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$3,900 / set
Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French burnished gilded Empire candlesticks with light collars. The stems are fluted and decorated with acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$4,500 / set
A pair of Empire candlesticks, silvered bronze
Located in Stockholm, SE
This exquisite pair of Empire-period candlesticks, likely of English origin, showcases a striking neoclassical design. Crafted with an intricate attention to detail, each candlestick...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$1,831 / set
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders from around 1820. They are made of fire-gilded bronze. Decorative acanthus leaves adorn the candleholders, along with fluting. Removable candle ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$4,000 / set
Pair of French Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, circa 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, circa 1820
Elegant and richly detailed pair of French Empire candlesticks from the 1820s. Crafted in gilt and dark ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Brass Lion Heads Samovar Base Candleholder
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Century Brass Lion Heads Samovar Base.
Impressive and versatile fragment found in Copenhagen. Would make a perfect candleholder for a thick alter candle...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
Pair of Candlesticks in Silvered Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of candlesticks in silvered bronze. Fluted shaft. Base adorned with a frieze of palmettes. Circular molded feet.
English work realized under the French Empire (1804-1815).
!Th...
Category
Early 1800s European 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
Elegant Large Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Large Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, France, 1820s
An elegant and imposing pair of Empire candlesticks, France, circa 1820, crafted in gilt and dark pati...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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
$9,000 / set
Scandinavian Brass Push Up Chamber Candle Holder with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this candleholder from the early 1800's. We see this chamber candlestick on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these sough...
Category
1810s Scandinavian Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
A fine Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
A fine pair of gilt bronze candlesticks from France, dating to the Empire period, circa 1820. Each candlestick is richly decor...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s
A refined pair of French candlesticks from the 1820s, crafted in gilt bronze and richly decorated in the classic ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Two Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain Candlesticks with Lion Heads
Located in København, Copenhagen
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
$1,050 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Giltwood Candlesticks or Prickets
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of giltwood French Empire period prickets or candlesticks was originally used on the altar of a church. They were hand-carved and exquisitely gilded on only one side as a m...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Giltwood
Pair Tall Antique Danish Empire Candelabra of Gilded Metal + Bronze 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Pair of large Empire style 3-armed candelabras made of a combination of gilded and brown-patinated metal and bronze.
Made in Denmark by skilled metalworkers circa 1880s.
Very nice c...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Doré Bronze Candlesticks, A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of French Empire Doré Bronze Candlesticks. These candlesticks feature a fluted and diamond-patterned shaft rising from a circular molded base with guilloché border. The upper se...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
$2,850 / set
19th century pair of French Empire ormolu candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
A magnificent pair of Empire ormolu candlesticks in the maner of Jean Demosthene Dugourc.
Each with fluted, tapered shaft and delicate ornamentation, surmounted by three female heads...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Candlesticks with Caryatids in Gilt and Dark-Patinated Bronze – Empire, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Candlesticks with Caryatids in Gilt and Dark-Patinated Bronze – Empire, 1820s
A magnificent pair of French candlesticks in gilt and dark-patinated bronze, made during the he...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
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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