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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.

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Style: Empire
Fine Quality Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze and patinated bronze lamps on square base. Each of the four sides of the base having a reef design. The rest of the...
Category

Late 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

Important Pair of 1st Period French Empire Pat. & Dore Bronze 6-Light Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous and important pair of antique French 1st period Empire patinated and two-tone matte and burnished doré bronze six-light candelabras. Each modeled with figures of Goddess D...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

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 Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Set of Two Empire Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A pair of giltwood Torcheres hand carved in Sicily in 1820, they are in original conditions, with consistent signs of use and age visible on the pics. The candlesticks were decorativ...
Category

Early 19th Century Sicilian Antique Empire Candle Holders

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 Candle Holders

Materials

Metal, 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 Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Elegant 19th Century French Candlesticks with Acanthus Leaf and Lion Paw Base
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Acanthus Leaf Candlesticks A sophisticated pair of early 19th century French gilt bronze candlesticks, richly ornamented in the neoclass...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set 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 central round pla...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Candelabra with Caryatids
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Empire bronze and marble candelabra with three branches each. The lights are supported by bronze caryatids with dark brown patina, who are dressed in long tunics à l’antique ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, 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

Claude Galle - pair of Empire ormolu sconces - early 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine pair of ormolu sconces, 3 lights each, Empire period, early 19th century period circa 1810. Attributed to Claude Galle. Mercury gilt has been outstandingly preserved after ove...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu

Pair Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze & Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire patinated bronze & gold bronze candelabra, Circa 1860. These handsome patinated candelabra would be a fine addition to any sideboard or large server...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Grand Pair of French, Second Empire Candelabra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of 7 arm, cast metal and gilded bronze candelabra with flame finials, mounted on marble bases.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

Royal Copenhagen, pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks. 1962.
Located in København, Copenhagen
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 Russian Dog Head Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, Marble 3 Arm Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Pair of 18th-Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, and Marble Three-Arm Candelabra with Dog’s Heads. Each candelabrum is set on a circular white marble base ...
Category

1790s Russian Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Rock Crystal, Marble, Ormolu

A pair of elegant candelabra with caryatids, Empire, early 19th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of elegant candelabra with caryatids, Empire, early 19th century A very elegant and high-quality French pair of candelabra in gilt and dark-patinated bronze. Each candelabrum...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

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 Candle Holders

Materials

Giltwood

Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This precious Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features many finely hand chiseled details. This model is typical of French Empire period due to ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Antique Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Incredible pair of Empire style candelabra of gilt and patinated bronze. The backs are flat in order that they might be close to a wall.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

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 ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Period Egyptian Style Porcelain Candelabra
Located in London, GB
French Empire period Egyptian style porcelain candelabra French, c. 1815 Height 81cm, width 27cm, depth 27cm These extremely fine candelabra date from the early 19th Century, during the period of Napoleonic dominance in Europe. It was during this period that interest in the ancient civilisation of Egypt started to become fashionable, in large part due to Napoleon's conquest of the region at the turn of the 19th Century. Each candelabrum is modelled as a standing cross...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu

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

Elegant pair of Gilt Candlesticks with Caryatids. French Empire, circa 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of gilded candlesticks with dark patinated caryatids in bronze. French empire, circa 1820. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

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 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

Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra. Each with a winged Victorian female figure carrying a torchère on their hea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Siena Marble, 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...
Category

1830s Swedish Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique French Empire Marble and Bronze D'ore Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of antique French empire marble and bronze D'ore candelabra.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, 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

Pair of French Napoleonic Tin Wall Mounted Candle Sconces Ca. 1820s
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of 19th century French Napoleonic tinned steel wall mounted candle sconces in the Empire style.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Tin

19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of gilt bronze three-light candelabra with kneeling putto holding the candleholders raised on richly elaborate base, France, late 19th century. Measures: Height 12.50 in / 3...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair Italian Empire Period Brass 3-Light Figural Candelabras, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Finely cast and supported by circular bases, the tops issuing two arms with single candleholders with a central figural candleholder.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

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 Candle Holders

Materials

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
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Period French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Multi-Arm Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A striking and finely cast pair of French Empire period multi-arm candelabra, dating to the early 1800's, executed in a sophisticated combination of ormolu and patinated bronze and n...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gilded, Mirrored, Period Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of period, hand carved, gessoed, and 22-karat gold gilded, Second Empire, French sconces. Each with gilt bronze arms, and inset with original, mercury glass mirrors. Each with...
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

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 Candle Holders

Materials

Birch

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

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of handcrafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Each...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Metal, Brass, 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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Slate, 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...
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Silver Plate, 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. ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

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.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th C French Gilt Bronze Ram’s Head Candlesticks w Musical Motifs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Ram’s Head and Musical Motif Decoration A richly detailed pair of 19th century French gilt bronze candlesticks, exemplifying...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Black French Antique Wrought Iron Napoleon III Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black antique, late 19th century French floor candle holder, candelabra hand crafted in very ornate fer forge work with wrought iron scrolls and seven candle holders, in good condi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

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
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Brass, Metal

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...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Gold French Empire Pair of Gilded Bronze Candle Holders, Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders with loose candle cuffs, made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candlesticks have downwardly tapering, fluted shafts, supported by a round footplate. The base is particularized with palmettes and leaves. The Parisian décor pieces represent the First French Empire time...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Pair of Girandoles, Candle sticks, Candelabras, bronze, ~ 1810 Empire, France
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning pair of so called Girandoles, made in France around 1810, in the famous Empire period. The stepped pedestals are beautifully designed with masks and garland décor. On each...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Metal, 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

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 Candle Holders

Materials

Silver

Pair French Empire Figural Bronze Candelabra Signed Chibout
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This finely detailed, and hand chased pair of bronze candelabra were made by Pierre Chibout. Active 1806-24, he worked with Claude Francois Rabiat who's workshop he took over in 181...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, 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 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
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabra, sleek and sophisticated in design, each one fitted with three lights, fire gilt details, raised on an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
$2,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabras, early 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
An exceptional pair of Empire period candelabra, dating from the early 19th century, circa 1810. This highly refined pair is emblematic of the height of the Empire style, embodying t...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks – Stunning
Located in Milano, 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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique 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.

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