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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
Pair Russian Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks
Located in New York, US
Our pair of ormolu bronze candlesticks feature acanthus leaf nozzles emanating from Roman style military helmets with plumage, with reeded acanthus stems...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century French Ormolu & Bronze Empire Period Candelabra
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning pair of early 19th century French Empire candelabra, with four scrolled candle arms supported by classical winged figu...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of 19th c. French Empire Style Electrified Candelabra
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of nineteenth century French Empire style candelabra. Each gilt-trimmed bronze candelabrum features a central urn-top arm surrounde...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

Two French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These two sconces have been crafted in the Empire style, which was popularised by the French Emperor, Napoleon I. The Empire style is characterised by its grandeur and use of opulent...
Category

20th Century French Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Circa 1800 Pair of French Gilt Bronze Griffin Candle Holders
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1800 Pair of French Gilt Bronze Griffin Candle Holders. Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or mess...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, Bronze

A pair of Empire candlesticks, silvered bronze
Located in Stockholm, SE
This exquisite pair of Empire-period candlesticks, likely of English origin, showcases a striking neoclassical design. Crafted with an intricate attention to detail, each candlestick...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Bronze Female Caryatids Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century French empire gilt and patinated bronze female caryatids candelabras à la Grècque. A beautiful pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabras deco...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

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.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Metal Four-Light Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gilt-metal four-light candelabras, probably French, c. 1900, designed in the Empire style, the base with acanthus borders, the body having reeded, beaded, fluted decorations ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Metal

Wonderful Empire Dore Bronze Rock Crystal Neoclassical Figure Candlestick Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Empire doré bronze rock crystal neoclassical figure candlestick lamp Stamped made in France on base Completely rewired.
Category

20th Century French Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Rock Crystal, Bronze

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

Early 19th Century Pair of candelabras made in Berlin
Located in 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

Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu and marble candelabras. Each candelabra is raised on a marble base with concave sides below the ormolu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Candelabras, Antique Pair w/Dore' Gold Finish, 5 Arms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great looking pair of 5 arm Candelabras. In two colors and Marble bases. In very good condition from an Antique collector in New Orleans. They have been well kept. These will require...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Empire Torchères, Vienna, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Empire torches or candelabra on a three-pass base tapering to the top and inlaid with brass inlays in the form of acanthus leaves and floral motifs. Rising above three ...
Category

Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Mahogany

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

Pair of Empire Period Four-Arm Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Empire period four-light candelabra, on tripod lion's feet over stepped incurved plinth, supporting a palmette form base with reeded column and central gilt candle stem, the ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Empire Ormolu and patinated Bronze Candelabra attr. Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 19th century Empire ormolu and patinated bronze candelabra attr. Thomire Each with a tapering leaf tip cast partially gilt and patinated bronze stem supporting three folia...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Patinated and Ormolu Bronze Candelabras
Located in Warsaw, PL
These pair of candlesticks are made from patinated bronze and finely embellished with ormolu. The base of the candlesticks are from interlocking two-layer of patinated bronze and gilded bronze circles that gives it a sturdy but refined look. The knop and stem of the candelabras are gilded and adorned in neoclassical features. Right below the candle cup is a bust statue of a woman in patinated bronze inspired by 19th century hair style and a bit Directoire. The motif adorning the top of the nozzle in the gilt bronze is the acanthus leaf, commonly used in Greek decorative art. Just below the acanthus gilt bronze pattern is a rose band...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Polished Brass and Black-Enameled Cast Iron Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Each with removable nozzle in brass above an acanthus shoulders over a brass column with lotus-leaf capital terminating in an acanthus-form knob, supported on a tripartite base with ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century Pair of Gilded & Patinated Bronze Two Light Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This lovely pair of candelabra, crafted in both gilded and patinated bronze, are 19th century French. Cast as female figures in Egyptian headdress and classical robes standing upon R...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Pair of 19 Century Russian Empire Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of Russian Empire figural candelabra featuring a patinated bronze caryatid holding a gilt bronze urn mounted with a torch atop her head, with two ...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

French Design, Empire, Candelabras, Patinated Bronze, France, 19th C.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Empire 19th century bronze candelabras depicting insects. These are quite possibly the finest cast bronze pieces on the market. Each having a center column formed rod with wi...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of 19th Century Empire Siena & Ormolu Candelabra In The Neoclassical Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning & most attractive pair of early 19th century Empire three-light figural candelabra ‘A la Victoire’ in the Neoclassical style. Each candelabra is raised by four wreathed to...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

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

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 Danish Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Danish Empire painted and bone candlesticks, circa 1810, of baluster form carved bone bandings and a circular base.
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Candle Holders

Pair of Empire Four Light Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Empire period parcel-gilt and patinated bronze four-light candelabra, the patinated column raised on triform scrolled feet over incurved plinth supporting a gilt bronze stand...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Four Light Bronze Candelabra
Pair of Empire Four Light Bronze Candelabra
$3,600 Sale Price / set
44% Off
Pair of Candlesticks in Silvered Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of candlesticks in silvered bronze. Fluted shaft. Base adorned with a frieze of palmettes. Circular molded feet. English work realized under the French Empire (1804-1815). !Th...
Category

Early 1800s European Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi, with its marble base, resume the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Bronze

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 central round pla...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Unusual Pair of Empire Two Branch Candelabra in Gout d'Egypt or Egyptian Style
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual pair of French Empire or possibly Russian two branch candelabra in the gout d'Egypt or Egyptian style which was extremely popular, circa turn of the 18th century. Set on square patinated bronze bases each female figure stands upon a finely cast ormolu...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair French Gilt Candelabras Female Maiden Figural Candles
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an eye catching pair of gilt Empire candelabras Of figural form, the candelabras are held aloft by the toga clad female maidens A perfect left and right Stand on the ...
Category

1890s Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Pair of Ormolu Candlesticks with Original Handcut Threads
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire pair of ormolu candlesticks with original handcut threads. A very elegant pair of candlesticks with original orm...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Empire style candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent pair of gilt bronze and marble Empire style candelabra
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of French Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French gilt bronze and patinated bronze four-light candelabra. France, early 19th century. Measures: H 22 in.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

1870 French Empire Style Bronze Dore Candleholders, a Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of French Empire style bronze dore candelabra with tapering malachite stems resting on three lion paw feet on triform malachite bases. Circa 1870.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Pair of French Ormolu Bronze Cassolettes or Censers/Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of early 19th century, French ormolu bronze cassolettes. The censers having pierced tops and Candlestick receivers on the revers.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Magnificent Pair of Gilt-Bronze Figural Empire Period Candelabra, circa 1815
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A magnificent and highly important pair of gilt bronze figural empire period candelabra. French, circa 1815. A Magnificent and Highly Important Pair of gilt bronze Figural Empi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces. Each two arm sconce is centered by a beautiful foliate bottom finial where the...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Italian Empire Silver Candlesticks, Milan, circa 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of elegant Empire candleholders on an unfilled base, conical structure, offset olive-shaped grommets with a flat, plate-shaped drip edge, smoo...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Silver

Pair of Superb Antique Italian Neoclassical Empire Bronze Figural Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A pair of superb antique Italian empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural candelabra lamps with royal markings, 19th century. Measure: Overall height 38.50”.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved. Column-shaft as holder for four Sweeping candelabra arms. Diameter:30cm height:52 cm.
Category

20th Century French Empire Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

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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