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.
Antique French Candle Holders in Marble & Bronze, Circa 1830-1850
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...
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Empire Style Beaded Crystal Basket Chandelier, Late 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A late 20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a classical circular brass structure and three E27 lights inside.Light bulbs can be replaced unscrewing the bro...
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Pair of Antique Gilded Bronze Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of dark patinated candle sticks made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candle holders are particularized with flowers decoration, resting on a tripod foot. The Parisian décor...
Metal, Bronze
Beautiful Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire Appliques from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful and rare pair of gilt bronze Empire Appliques. Made in France during the 1820s. Some wear on the gilding exists, but also carries a beutif...
Gold Plate, Bronze
$113,554Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental Pair of Italian Empire Gilt Bronze Candleholders or Floor Lamps, 1800
Located in Rome, IT
Impressive pair of Italian Empire finely chiseled ormolu Flambeaux, on triform base, each with 25 scrolled gilt-bronze candle arms. Attributed to Luigi Manfredini the famous bronze a...
Bronze
Antique French Gilded Bronze Candle Holders, Empire Style, Circa 1790
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...
Metal, Bronze
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Empire Period Pair of Bronze Candleholders, Neoclassical
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Emprie Period pair of bronze candleholders, neoclassical A rare collector quality pair of French First Empire candleholders. A classical bi...
Alabaster, Bronze
Wonderful Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Figural Regency
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large pair of French Empire gilt and patinated bronze figural Regency candelabra raised on paw feet, each figure holding a 6-branch cand...
Bronze
$1,200 / set
H 14.25 in W 6 in D 6 in
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.
Bronze
Pair of Cobra Candle Holders - France, Circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exotic pair of brass candlesticks with intricate etched pattern and red enamel finish.
Neoclassic Bronze Candle Holders
Located in Tampa, FL
A very unusual and attractive pair of tapered French bronze candle holders. circa 1800s.
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Experience the grandeur of the 19th century with this elegant French Empire-style chandelier. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the piece features a sturdy bronze framewor...
Crystal, Bronze
Carrara Home Design Candle Holder in Portoro Marble
Located in Carrara, MS
Organic and elegant shapes for this candle holder with sinuous lines. "Candle Holder by CARRARA_HOME_DESIGN® can accommodate different formats of candles, to create relaxing moments...
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Basket Form Beaded Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted with precision, this Early 20th Century Italian Basket Form Beaded Crystal Chandelier is a testament to the timeless elegance of vintage lighting. The piece features a intric...
Crystal, Bronze
$850 / set
H 9.75 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Pair Antique Neoclassical Style Corinthian Column Gilt Bronze Candle Holders
Located in New York, NY
Pair Neoclassical style Corinthian column form gilt bronze candle holders Late 19th- Early 20th Century Attractive, well detailed Corinthian column capitals with reeded column bodies...
Bronze
18th Century Italian Empire Style Repousse and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional 18th century Italian Empire style Brass and crystal basket style chandelier. Featuring glistening crystals and a repousse' Greek key design around the base. Stunning!!
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Candlesticks or Candleholders, Patinated Bronze
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of candlestick in patinated bronze. It has a square base with flattened corners and decorated with moldings that create a staggering until almost reaching the barrel, worked as...
Bronze
Fondica Casenove French 1980 Bronze Floral Candle Holder
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural bronze floral French Candle holder designed by Pierre Casenove for Fondica. signed.
Bronze
Pair of Candlesticks or Candleholders, Patinated Bronze
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of candlestick in patinated bronze. The base washer shows a decoration based on moldings, while the barrel rises from a pedestal topped by a large pearl and is shaped like a va...
Bronze
Sold
H 50.4 in Dm 14.97 in
Empire Style Italian Beaded Crystal Chandelier Early 20th Century Basket Pendant
Located in Milano, MI
An early-20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a high central stem, a classical circular crystal structure, three E14 lights inside, in the upper section, a...
Crystal, Bronze
Sold
H 40.56 in Dm 23.63 in
Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Chandelier French 20th Century Empire Style Pendant
By Baccarat
Located in Milano, MI
An elegant French early 20th century Empire style Baccarat crystal and ormolu chandelier. An early-20th century Baccarat Gilt Bronze Chandelier, elegant six-light French chandelier with E14 mignon mount, with a baluster stem decorated with a bow and six curved arms decorated with festoons, garlands and vegetal motifs of Empire taste.. Crystals of this antique living room chandelier...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 5.91 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in
Elegant Pair of Empire Appliques in Gilt Bronze from Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
An elegant pair of Empire Appliques in gilt bronze. Made in France during the early 19th century. Very beautiful original gilding. Wear consisten...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Candle Sticks, French, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Wonderful pair of Empire gilt bronze candlesticks from the early 19th century, made in France. Very nice original finish with light ware consistent with age and use.
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Gold French Pair of Bronze Candlesticks, Antique Table Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French Retour d'Egpyte pair of candlesticks made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed holders are particularized with Egyptian caryatids. The décor pieces represent the First French Empire time...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 19 in W 18.5 in D 9.75 in
2 French Empire Mirrored Brass Crystal Garland Candle Wall Sconces MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of two mid century French Empire Garland three candle wall sconces made of brass with mirrored backs under sweeping strings of tapered crystal beads and drop crystal accents on ...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Mid-20th Century Empire-Style Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
A chic pair of mid-20th century Empire-style brass candle sconces, each with two arms and two crossed arrows. Perfect in your entry flanking a mirror, or down the hallway in your home.
Brass
Pair of Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of early 19th century gilt bronze candlesticks, gilded with mercury. Measures: H: 69 cm, W: 24 cm, D: 24 cm.
Bronze
19th Century Italian Empire Crystal Candle Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
A charming classical Empire style Italian chandelier born for candle lighting, featuring nine arms ending with candles, no electric wiring, can be used as candle holders or decorativ...
Crystal, Iron, Brass
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Marble Three-Arm Candelabra
Located in Doylestown, PA
Very fine pair of French fire-gilt bronze and gray marble three-light candelabra.
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 10.63 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Love Symbols Candlesticks or Cassolettes
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 19th century French empire gilt bronze love symbols candlesticks or Cassolettes A pair of Empire style mid-19th century gilt and partially patin...
Bronze
Sold
H 21.25 in W 10 in D 4.25 in
Pierre-Philippe Thomire Attributed French Empire Gilded Bronze Candelabra, Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
A very fine pair of French Empire style gilt bronze three-light candelabra featuring the allegorical "à la Victoire". The winged figure holds aloft in her out stretched arms two intricately designed candle-wells in the form of baskets, with an additional basket overhead. She stands balanced on an embossed cylinder over a double plinth with a squared base. This pair is for the serious collector passionate about finely handcrafted decorative arts with superior craftsmanship. They are flawlessly cast and highly detailed, done in the distinct manner of Pierre Philippe Thomire...
Bronze