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
French 19th Century Brass Candle Holder
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming French 19th century brass chamberstick of meticulous patterning covering nearly all of the surface with great patina. The saucer base and ring for carrying would indicate ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Cool and unusual composition between gilded and dark patin...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Trajan's Column Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century Empire Trajan's column ormolu candlesticks in the manner of P.-P. Thomire (1751-1843):
Pair of large Empire ormolu candlesticks, the stem ressembling th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Ormolu
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
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
Rare flashlight for a candle in brass from a Swedish Baron. Empire period
Located in Knivsta, SE
Extremely rare flashlight for a candle in brass from a Swedish Baron. Empire period around 1830. Provenance Baron Ehrenkrona, Hulterstad Manor, Mjölby, Sweden.
The flashlight in bra...
Category
1830s Swedish Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
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 br...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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
High-Quality Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
High-Quality Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s
An exquisite pair of Empire candlesticks in finely chiseled gilt bronze, likely crafted in Paris during the 1820s...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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
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 of 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
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
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Patinated Brass Candlesticks
Located in Barntrup, DE
Very nice pair of French Empire style gold-plated, patinated and burnished bronze and brass candlesticks. Each candlestick features finely engraved decors and is raised on a round or...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze, Brass
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
Pair of Empire Candlestick, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of candlesticks made of burnished and fire-gilt bronze. The spouts are surrounded by three satyr masks crowned by flames. The pyramidal shaft is decorated with torchbearers in r...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
French 19th C. Adjustable Candlestick
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming French 19th century brass candlestick with functioning candle height adjuster. Surprisingly heavy for the slim and sleek form. Charming patina and irregularities authentic...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
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 Candlesticks
Materials
Brass
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
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze candlesticks raised on three lions paws, France, mid-19th century.
Category
Mid-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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Antique Pair of Danish Soap Stone Square Base Candlesticks
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very classic antique period Empire hand-made candlesticks carved from soapstone. These candlesticks certainly would enhance any living room or dining room, sideboard or end table.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Soapstone
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
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
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
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
A Pair of Late Empire Silver Candlesticks by Caspar Julius Worm (1788-1857)
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of late Empire silver candlesticks crafted by master silversmith Caspar Julius Worm.
Created in Copenhagen in 1837, these candlesticks are richly decorated with intricate acan...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Silver
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
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
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
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 Antique Swedish Empire Candlesticks Made by Hand in Solid Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of Swedish empire candlesticks from around 1840 to 1850. The candlesticks are made by hand with a frame in solid birch with elements of birch root in the candleholders and foot....
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Birch
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 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 French Early 19th Century Empire Gilt-Bronze Candlesticks, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of French early 19th century Empire gilt-bronze candlesticks, circa 1820
Pair of Empire gilt bronze candlesticks, each with a fluted stem, highlighted on top by a finely chas...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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
Pair of Italian Empire Early 19th Century Silver Candlesticks, Rome, circa 1811
Located in Firenze, IT
This pair of elegant 19th century Italian Empire period (1811-1817) silver chiseled candlesticks show a simple but elegant design and shape.
The conical structure embellished with festoon and garlands rests on an unfilled round base decorated with acanthus leaves offset olive-shaped grommets adorned with a frieze of palmettes and a flat, plate-shaped drip edge. Smooth design of the surface divided by delicate leaf and cord friezes.
These candleholders were crafted between 1811 and 1817 in Rome during the occupation of city by the French Empire. The style was called ‘Regency’ in England and USA, ‘Empire’ in France and Italy.
Branded by the Roman French occupation control hallmark dated 1811-1814
Fineness mark: Silver 800 for large objects...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Silver
Pair of Empire Candlesticks with Garland
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candlesticks with matching light collars, richly decorated in burnished gilded bronze. The central section is elegantly fluted, and they feature a garland wit...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Bronze
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 girandoles, France, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of French girandoles made of burnished and partly fire-gilt bronze, on a red marble base over spherical decoration. The candelabra figures, designed as Apollo and Diana, carry...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candlesticks
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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 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
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.