Empire Candle Holders
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.
3
241
11
1
to
22
126
114
253
242
253
1,307
868
652
403
325
269
265
253
191
168
167
158
151
131
117
112
33
12
6
201
34
12
11
7
2
3
2
2
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
244
198
47
32
29
232
184
22
8
7
11
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Large Pair of French Empire Period Candelabra, Attributed to Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent large pair of five-light doré bronze and patinated bronze Empire period candelabra, attributed to Claude Galle made in the early 1800s. This pair of candelabra are set ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Marble, 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
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of very large high quality Empire Candelabra made ca 1815.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of large Empire candelabra made around year 1815. The bases are made of Siena marble and mounted with bronze ornaments. On top the bases sculp...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique Early 19thC French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine pair of antique early 19th century gilt bronze French Neoclassical Empire period candlesticks, circa 1820.
The candlesticks having removable sconces and globular capitals...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Mid-Century French Empire-Style Brass Candle Sconces, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of 1950s French Empire-style brass two-candle sconces.
Finely detailed throughout. Cast form features a flaming torch motif embellished with an acanthus wreath and rippling r...
Category
1950s British Vintage Empire Candle Holders
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Pair of French Empire Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of French Empire gilt and dark patinated bronze candlesticks from the 1820s. Decorated with flower baskets and bunches of grapes and a dark patinated column.
Wear ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of candelabras made in Berlin
Located in Stockholm, SE
Candelabras with place for three candles, made in Berlin about 1810. Gilded and patinated bronze. Decorated with a standing griffin with a women's face, gilded decorations and lion f...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Brass Putti Cherub Angel Wall Mounted Sconces Candle Holders - Set of 2
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Brass Putti Cherub Angel Wall Mounted Sconces Candle Holders - Set of 2
These matching cherub wall sconces can hold small taper candles. The cherubs are mounted upon a recta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candelabras, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candelabras originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Slate, 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 fu...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Slate, Bronze
19th century gilt bronze French Empire candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
An elegant pair of French candlesticks in gilded bronze.
Beautiful fine quality; decorated with acanthus leaves, palmettes and flowers.
Original gilding.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Set of Brass Travel Candlesticks Chamber-stands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two small travel candlesticks in brass. The set can easily disassemble into 4 parts, two bases and two candleholders. The four parts can then be assembled into a pair of candl...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, Johann Kaba Vienna, Dated 1803
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, the smooth shaft raised in the centre with a constriction formed by a beaded band in relief, the shaft widening conically tow...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver
Exceptional Pair of French Late Empire Gilt-bronze Candelabra Attributed to Pier
Located in Benington, Herts
A pair of exceptionally elegant and important late Empire five-light figural candelabra ‘A la Victoire’ in gilt-bronze, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, after a design by Charles Percier. Imposing size at 81cm in height.
French Paris c.1820
Superbly cast, in the Neo-Classical style, the five scrolling foliate candle branches enclosing central sconces issuing from a circular wreath supported by the winged figure of Victory (Nike), wearing diaphanous robes gathered by a sash above a long underskirt splaying out from above her ankles, with beautifully feathered wings flowing behind her as she looks straight ahead. Each figure standing on one foot, the other bent, resting on a plain sphere over a reeded palmette-cast baluster pedestal raised on square plinth. Wonderful colour and patina, pierced for electricity, old inventory label to the underside.
We are delighted to have been able to acquire these important candelabra as rarely does one get the opportunity to purchase items by P P Thomire...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
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 ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candelabra of Ormolu and Patinated Bronze and Marble
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of late 19th century Empire bronze and ormolu candelabra.
- Caryatid herm female figures on marble block plinths.
- Three ormolu candle arms/cups
- Well modeled.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Bronze & Marble Candelabra
Located in Southall, GB
A beautifully made pair of French candelabras in bronze and marble. Two neoclassical styled women are blowing trumpet horns which form candlesticks. There is intricate detailing to t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlesticks
Located in Stockholm, SE
A decorative pair of empire style candlesticks in gilt bronze and dark green marble. France, end of the 19th century. Nice condition.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Marble, 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 Candle Holders
Materials
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
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Russian Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks in the manner Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A Pair of Russian Empire gilt bronze candlesticks produced in France / Russia around 1810 in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Of substantial size and expertly cast in matt and ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Candle Holders
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 Candle Holders
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 Candle Holders
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 Candle Holders
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Candlesticks in gilt & dark patinated bronze. Empire from 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Candlesticks in gilt & dark patinated bronze in Empire. Made in France during the 1920s. Beautifully decorated with leaf ornaments and with a dark patinated column i...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and a dark patinated column in the center of the cand...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Pair of Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabra, Circa 1830
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine pair of early 19th century Empire Period patinated & parcel gilt bronze three branch candelabra. Both showing a trio of finely cast scrolled & foliate shaped branches fit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
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
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Candle Holders
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Bronze Candelabra of the Empire Period
Located in London, GB
Constructed in two color gilt and patinated bronze; the feminine Grecian figures draped with diaphanous robes blowing bi-form trumpets of swept form, terminating in candleholders a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Brass and Marble Candelabras
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: H: 20 1/2in W: 6 3/4in D: 6 3/4in
This beautiful pair of French Empire style 5 light candelabras on marble bases are made from the highest quality bronze. The craftsmans...
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze
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 Holders
Materials
Crystal
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Detailed Ovoid Form Candle Holders
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Ovoid Form Candle Holders/ Candlesticks. Highly detailed antiquity.
Category
1810s Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Continental Hand Painted Ormolu Carved Wood Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of 19th Century continental hand painted and hand carved wood candle sconces featuring leaves and pears. Beautiful ormolu and gilt condition, in the Empire or Neoclassical style...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Wood
Pair 19thc French Empire Bronze Male Figural Candelabra
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Gold Bronze Male Mask Figural Candelabra. Very nice detail and stately candelabra.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Candelabra Apollo & Daphne Manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in Newark, England
From our Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this fine pair of French Empire Candelabra. The Candelabra exceptionally cast as an opposing pair of Apollo and Daphne. The s...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 Candle Holders
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of gilt Empire Candlesticks from 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of gilt Empire Candlesticks from France. made during the 1820s. Good gilt and with period Empire decor of flowers, grapes and check pattern.
Wear consistent with a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Antique Pair Large French Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabras 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of oversized French Empire figural candelabra offer cast bronze construction with scroll form arms with gilt rosettes and terminating in gilt candle sockets over flar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, Austria-Hungary, Dated 1821
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant plain Empire silver candle holders on round stand, central raised smooth shaft, lower third constriction by profiled bead ring, shaft widening conically upwards, vase-sha...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver
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 Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Two pairs of candleholders in malm, which is a brass alloy with added copper. The cobber gives the brass a darker color.
The hei...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu Candelabras
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu Candelabras. Gorgeous.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Ormolu
Distinctive pair of 19th century Empire Style gilt metal candelabras
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous
19th century; European
Gilt bronze and metal
Approximate size: 17.75 (h) x 9.75 (w) x 3.5 (d) inches
The present pair of distinctive antique gilt metal candlesticks are i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights
French, 20th Century
Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm
Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Category
20th Century French Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Early 19th Century Tall French Empire Ormolu & Bronze Candelabras
Located in Middleburg, VA
Pair of Early 19th Century Tall French Empire Ormolu & Bronze Candelabras. Depicting angels in patinated bronze, these candelabras are stunning. Fra...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Empire candle holders for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire candle holders 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 holders 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 candle holders 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 holders, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Alexandre Vossion, Baccarat, and Arno Fassi. 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 holders 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 $148,649 while the average work can sell for $3,788.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
French Dore Candelabra
18th Century French Candelabra
Centerpiece Candelabra
Art Deco Silver Candelabra
Candelabra Centerpiece
Antique Cast Iron Holder
Candelabra Putti
Putti Candelabra
Candelabra With 5 Candles
Decorative German Candelabra
French Bronze Porcelain Candelabra
Bronze Candle Holders With Crystals
19th Century Empire French Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Fruit Holder
Bronze 3 Candle Holders
Three Arm Candle Holder
Pair Marble Ormolu Columns
Bronze French 19th Century Louis Xv Candelabras