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.
$4,000 / set
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Empire candleholders in fire-gilded bronze. Manufactured in France around 1810/1820. The candleholders are decorated with beautiful acanthus leaves. A decorative meander ba...
Bronze
A pair of Empire Swedish pewter candlesticks made 1820.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A distinguished pair of Swedish pewter candlesticks by Nils Eric Justelius, dated 1820. Executed in the Empire style, the candlesticks display elegant neoclassical proportions with t...
Pewter
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...
Bronze
Tall Antique Danish Empire Floor Candelabra Gilded and Brown Metal 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique tall empire style 3-armed floor candelabra made of a combination of gilded and brown-patinated metal and bronze. Made in Denmark by skilled metalworkers circa 1880-1900 Very...
Metal, Bronze
Napoleonic Elegance: A Pair of French Empire Bronze Candlesticks; 12" H
Located in New York, NY
A striking pair of French Empire patinated and gilt bronze candlesticks, crafted in the 19th century and distinguished by their elegant architectural form and richly modeled ornament...
Bronze
$10,200 / set
Pair of Empire Ormolu Cassolettes
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Empire gilt bronze cassolettes with pierced covers and engine-turned columns. France, circa 1810.
Bronze
Beautiful French Empire Caryatid Candlesticks with Carrara Marble Bases
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Caryatid Candlesticks with Carrara Marble Bases An elegant and finely composed pair of French Empire candlesticks, crafted in the early 19th century and embodying the...
Carrara Marble, 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 co...
Bronze, Brass
Pair of Russian Empire Brass Candlesticks with Drip Basins, circa 1790–1835
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Russian Empire Brass Candlesticks with Drip Basins, circa 1790–1835 A substantial and finely proportioned pair of Russian Empire–period brass candlesticks, dating to the lat...
Brass
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...
Metal, Bronze
Elegant 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
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Guilloché Decoration
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, early 19th century (circa 1805–1815). Each candlestick is formed with a tapering cylindrical shaft rising from a broad circula...
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
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 ...
Bronze
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...
Silver Plate, Brass
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....
Birch
Antique Sculptural Wooden Church Candlestick, 1860
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This extraordinary antique church candlestick, presumably from the mid-19th century, combines sacred radiance with timeless classicist desig...
Nutwood
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
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
Bronze
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...
Brass
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze with dark patinated Lion paws. 1810s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze with dark patinated Lion paws. Made in France during the 1810s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
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
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s An elegant and architecturally striking pair of French Empire candlesticks executed in finely chiseled gilt bronze, dating to t...
Bronze
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 (...
Brass
Pair of Elegant Gilded and Dark Patinated Empire Candlesticks, circa 1810
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of extremely elegant gilded and dark patinated bronze Empire Candlesticks. Probably made i Paris around 1810. Beautiful contrast between the gilded and dark patinated bronze. ...
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
Bronze
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century Description: Each piece is configured as a two-light candelabrum, featuring two decorative scrolling side ar...
Bronze
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 ...
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...
Bronze
$192Sale Price|34% Off
Set of 2 Swedish Brass Chamber Candle Holders with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on these candleholders from the early 1800's. We see these chamber candlesticks on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these s...
Brass, Metal
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.
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...
Brass
Pair of Corinthian Column Faux Marble Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive pair of Corinthian column candlesticks featuring a beautiful and decorative capital with faux marble stems as well as a detailed square base. Fantastic pair featured on a ...
Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Brass
Pair of French Empire Revival Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 11.5" H
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire Revival Bronze Candlesticks France, 19th Century Elegant pair of French patinated and gilt bronze candlesticks executed in the Empire Revival taste. Each featu...
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...
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks – Stunning
Located in IT
This elegant pair of early 19th-century French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks is in stunning condition, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship typical of the Empire period. The richly g...
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 furniture, each candlestick rests on a triform bronze base of claw feet and petal scrollwork, topped by a gilt acanthus leaf throne supporting a simple black slate stem. The sleek stone posts in turn support an urn-form bronze capital with floral and gilt elements. A gorgeous example of French opulence...
Slate, 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...
Bronze
$1,750Sale Price / set|20% Off
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 ...
Bronze
$1,850 / set
Pair Empire Style Bronze Candle Holders
Located in San Francisco, CA
each heavy candle holder surmounted by a shallow candlecup with flared lip raised on a gadrooned support above a ring of stylized leaves; all over a cylindrical base adorned with app...
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...
Brass
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...
Bronze
Elegant Pair of Empire Fire-Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of Empire Fire-Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s A magnificent pair of Empire candlesticks in finely chiseled and fire-gilded bronze, France, circa 1820. These e...
Bronze
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...
Silver
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...
Brass
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Two 19th Century French Bronze Partially Gilt Candlesticks on Hoofed Faun Feet
Located in Haarlem, NL
Two 19th century French partially ormolu bronze candlesticks on cloven hoofed hocked faun legs and feet Cast in bronze, adorned with floral and acanthus leaf motif. The candle inse...
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Figural Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Pair of rare early 19th century French Empire figural bronze candlesticks featuring patinated putti figures dressed in stylized costume, each supporting a foliate ormolu candle branc...
Marble, 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.
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A small 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
Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Gilt Bronze Female Busts Candlesticks, circa 1820 A beautiful pair of Empire gilt-bronze ormolu c...
Bronze
Pair of Empire-Style Bronze and Siena Marble Candlesticks – Circa 1830
Located in IT
This exquisite pair of Empire-style candlesticks from circa 1830 features intricate bronze detailing atop rich Siena marble bases. Resting on tripod bases with lion paw feet, these c...
Siena Marble, Bronze
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...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Empire Period Silver Candlesticks England circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of Empire period standard silver candlesticks from England circa 1820. Each stick has a squared tapered shaft decorated with still-leafed border as well as beaded bandi...
Silver
$5,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Ormolu
$3,328 / set
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...
Bronze
Pair of Empire "Retour d' Egypt" Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Retour d' Egypt" candlesticks. Patinated Bronze shafts toped with fire gilt bobeches on top of figural Caryatids standing on a round base encircled with floral decoration.
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.
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.
Bronze
$6,000 / set
Pair of French Fire-Gilded Empire Candleholders
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French fire-gilded Empire candleholders from around 1800-1810. The candleholders are in the Egyptianizing style that was popular at the time, referencing Napoleon's campaig...
Bronze