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.
to
27
261
11
1
7
218
36
12
12
9
3
3
2
1
1
2
3
1
1,516
917
713
451
337
286
273
262
211
178
177
175
161
141
128
125
36
7
263
211
45
33
29
137
121
252
203
25
11
7
Height
to
Width
to
273
262
273
11
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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
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
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
Bronze French Empire Style Candelabrum
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Bronze French Empire style candelabrum.
Category
19th Century 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
19th Century Swedish Candelabra
Located in Allerum, SE
Pair of fine 19th century Swedish Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra,
circa 1830, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
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
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
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Bronze Female Caryatids Candelabras
By Claude Galle
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
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
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
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 of Empire Style Bronze and Iridescent Glazed Cassolettes, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
The tops turn over to be candlesticks.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Bronze
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 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
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
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
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 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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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 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
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 Antique French Bronze D'ore Carrara Marble Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
These beautiful candelabra have the grace and form sought after by our collectors.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Candle Holders
Materials
Carrara Marble, 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.