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
A Pair of French Empire Polychrome Gilt-Wood Torchères, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Polychrome Gilt-Wood Torchères, 19th Century
Description:
Each torchère with a circular stone top above a concave triform capital with a rosette to each face...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Wood
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 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
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
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
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
$832 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Pair of Empire Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu & Patinated Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Empire-Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patinated Candelabra, France, 20th Century
A pair of exquisite Empire-style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patin...
Category
20th Century French Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century French Antique Empire Crystal Glass Chandelier, Parisian Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French chandelier, pendant made of hand crafted polished brass, in good condition. The hand blown cut crystal prisms are attached, halted to the ceiling lamp brass f...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
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
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
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
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 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 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
A Pair of Gilt Bronze and Patinated Candelabra with Winged Victories.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of gilt bronze and patinated candelabra with winged victories, Empire period, 19th century.
Pair of Empire period candelabra from the 19th century, Napoleon 1st, gilt and pat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of gilt bronze Retour d'Egypte candlesticks, Empire period, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
The pair of candlesticks from the Empire period featuring caryatids are exquisite examples of neoclassical design, typical of the early 19th century, particularly during the reign of...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
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
French 19th Century Large Toleware Candelabra
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This generously sized five-arm candelabra has gained a wonderful patina since its creation during the 1890’s in France. A single arm is raised above the rest while four scrolling arm...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Metal, Tôle
Pair of Empire-Style Bronze and Siena Marble Candlesticks – Circa 1830
Located in Milano, 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...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks.
With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns.
The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Large silver plated copper candlestick, France ca. 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / candlestick / silver plated copper / Antique / Empire
A large French Empire style candlestick with very detailed graphic decorations. This silver plated copper candl...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver Plate, Copper
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible pair of spirited early 19th century French Empire bronze candlesticks celebrating the arts with individually cast and applied painters' palettes with brushes, sculptors' hammers and compasses, writers' books, musicians' harps, drama masks...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Candlesticks
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Empire Candlesticks. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
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
$3,420 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Bronze and Marble Two-Armed Candelabrum, 19th Century
Located in Toronto, CA
A wonderful 19th century candelabra in the French Empire style, made of patinated bronze, gilt bronze and marble. The stem represents a woman holding aloft a two-armed torch, the who...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Wonderful Pair Dore Bronze Two-Arm Winged Putti Cherub Neoclassical Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of doré bronze two-arm winged putti cherub neoclassical candelabras
Measures: 18" H x 6.5" W x 4" D.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Seven Lights Italian Solid Silver Candelabra Empire revival
By Arno Fassi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Magnificent Empire style candelabra in solid 800 silver
The base is square with lion paw-shaped feet.
Two frames with the typical palmettes of the Empire style frame a second smaller square decorated with 4 central flowers. The stem of the candelabra is a statue of a woman (goddess) with her hair gathered and holding a cornucopia in one hand ending with the main candle holder.
The candelabra has 7 lights.
The arms of the candelabra, made with the casting technique, have candle holders and wax collectors also made with the casting technique and finely chiseled.
The central candle holder stands out for its height which surpasses all the other candle holders, making the candelabra slim and balanced in shape and proportions.
A classic example of high quality Italian silverware suitable to be placed in elegant and prestigious homes.
Made in Milan - Italy by Fassi silverware
Silver 800°°/°°° Candelabra Empire...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver
Fine Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze & Cut Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Candlesticks
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant French Empire or neoclassical pair of doré bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted candlesticks.
Measures: 4.75W x 11 H.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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 Candlestick Lightshade Vienna by Balthasar Wigand Mother of Pearl
Located in Epfach, DE
Mother of pearl light shade or candlestick by Balthasar Wigand Vienna about 1810-1820 with very fine painting from the Galitzerberg in Vienna.
B...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Empire Candlesticks, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of elegant Empire candlesticks crafted from partially fire-gilded bronze, dating to the early 19th century. Each candlestick stands on a round base, featuring a tapered, flute...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$6,935 / set
Gilt Bronze Candlestick, Empire Period, Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Gilt bronze candlestick, finely chiseled and guilloché, Empire period.
Decorated with acanthus leaves and ears of wheat.
French work, early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$1,750 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Candlesticks Empire France
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. Cannelated frame.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver, Brass
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
19th Century Pair French Carved Alabaster Lighted Urn Torchieres
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair French Carved Alabaster Lighted Urn Torchieres
Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with details.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Alabaster
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$2,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Empire Patinated Bronze Tripod Candelabras, Lion's Paw Feet, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabras. These tall three light patinated bronze candelabras have a tripod base with very detailed lion's paws. The columns are fluted with palmettes...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Gilded Empire Hoop Sconce for Candles with Winged Figure and Three Eagles, 1860s
Located in New York, NY
AIS3010
A single gilded and patinated bronze candle sconce composed of a winged cherub or angel figure holding a fine, spiral bead-wrapped, reeded hoop, mounted with three eagles ho...
Category
1860s Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Brass, 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
Princely Pomp Candlestick After Pierre Philippe Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely finely chased and cast bronze. Fully sculpted figures (Viktoria). Carrying on the head and supporting with the hands torch-shaped shaft with 12 cornucopia, curved lighthous...
Category
20th Century French Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$8,228 Sale Price
20% Off
Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique bronze candelabra with antique crystal, with 3 candleholders. Marble beige base 4" x 6".
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$1,520 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver
Pair of Antique Austro-Hungarian Silver Candlesticks with Chased Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of silver candlesticks are hallmarked by an unknown maker, and believed to have originated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and date to approximately 1850, and done in the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Silver
Pair 19th Century French Empire Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome pair of 19th century French Empire candlesticks, an urn atop a column supported by lions paw feet... lovely on a dinner table, in...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
Single French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19thC French Empire style candelabra in yje manner of Thomire featuring a finely chased patinated bronze statue of Nike or Winged Victory holding aloft five gilt bronze can...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$3,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Wonderful Pair French Patinated Dore Bronze Empire Neoclassical Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Patinated & Dore Bronze Empire / Neoclassical Candelabras
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Gilded Brass Bronze Figural Elephant Small Candlesticks, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gilded brass bronze figural elephant small candlesticks - a pair. Item features a gold gilded finish, great elephant form casting, nice small Size, very nice vintage item, gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Brass
Candelabras Pair 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candelabras made of gilt bronze. Made in France In Late Empie Style during the 19th century. Top candle holder decorated with a loose torch.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Ormolu Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of finest quality 1st Empire Ormolu figural Bronze Candelabras.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$7,500 / set
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
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
Bronze French Empire Style Candelabrum
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Bronze French Empire style candelabrum.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$495 Sale Price
37% Off
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 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 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.
Category
20th Century French Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders from around 1820. They are made of fire-gilded bronze. Decorative acanthus leaves adorn the candleholders, along with fluting. Removable candle ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
$4,000 / set
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
$3,600 / set
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.