Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
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.
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron
Early 18th Century European Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Wire
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Tôle
Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Giltwood
19th Century European Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Cut Glass
Early 20th Century French Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron
1950s French Vintage Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Aluminum
1920s French Vintage Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Czech Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Iron
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron
Mid-18th Century European Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century European Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Wire
18th Century European Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Wire
18th Century European Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Wire, Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron, Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron, Sheet Metal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron, Tôle
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Tôle, Brass