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.
$18,715Sale Price / item|20% Off
Low Huge Flush Mount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier: Tailored Empire Elegance Introducing our new Montgolfière style chandelier, a magnificent embodiment of Empire splendor adorned with exquisite lead cr...
Crystal
$7,392Sale Price / item|20% Off
Low Flushmount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing the New Montgolfière Style Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Empire Elegance Experience the epitome of opulence and craftsmanship with our exquisite Montgolfière style chande...
Crystal, Wire
$5,950Sale Price / set|63% Off
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Two-Light Wall Torchère Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of French empire style gilt-bronze two-light wall torchère sconces. Each elongated gilt-bronze applique with central twin-tassels supporting a pa...
Bronze
Hand Blown Murano Glass Semi Flush Fixture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous Large Hand-Blown Italian Glass Semi Flush Fixture. Ribbed salt glass bowl with elegant pale pink ruffle trim. Dramatic addition to any room. ...
Murano Glass
Pair of Scandinavian Flushmount Ceiling Lamps, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful pair of ceiling lights on a porcelain base with shades in decorated opaline glass. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half by Høvik Lys. Both lamps are full...
Porcelain, Glass
Glass Flush Mounted Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A French circa 1940's octagonal gilt bronze and milk glass flush mounted light fixture with an interior light. Measurements: Dia...
Bronze
$3,450
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 6.7 in
Large German Vintage Ceiling or Wall Light Flushmount Chandelier, 1960s
By Leola
Located in Berlin, DE
One of... large sculptural Sciolari style ceiling or wall flushmount by Leola. Germany, 1960s.
Chrome
French Art Deco Frosted Glass Pendent Semi Flush Three-Light Gilt Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful, French Art Deco frosted glass, pendant / semi flush light fixture set with three newly wired candelabra light sockets and wires each taki...
Silver
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tall three light electrified wall sconces with various decorative motifs top to bottom in a French inspired design. The eagle crest is perched atop clouds with an inscribed shield (t...
Bronze
$3,286 / item
H 12.6 in W 28.35 in D 36.23 in
Flush Mount Brass and Glass Chandelier 8 Arms, Stilnovo Style, Low Ceiling Best
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This chandelier is specifically designed for low ceilings, with a height of only 13 inches (32 cm). The arms and shade holders are made of brass, while the...
Metal, Brass
Large Murano Glass Flush Mount Fixture by Kaiser, Germany, 1960s
Located in Aachen, NRW
Fantastic flush mount by Kaiser, Germany, manufactured, circa 1960-1969. Curved Murano glasses suspended from a fixture. Sockets: 3 x E27 bulbs (max. 60 watt each) -and compatible...
Murano Glass
Murano Gold Rugiadoso Glass Semi Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Murano Italian round gold amber colored handblown glass semi-flush mount ceiling light. Done in the Rugiadoso technique—fine particles scattered across the interior to create a miste...
Metal
Gigantic Murano Blown Ceiling Fixture
Located in Westport, CT
Blown in a soft gold toned color this lovely extra large dome shaped ceiling fixture with finial is illuminated with 5 medium base lights, non UL please note weight of 36 lbs Origi...
Blown Glass
$19,250
H 15.75 in W 48.43 in D 11.82 in
1 (of 2) Bakalowits & Sons 49" Flush Mount Chandelier Crystal & Brass
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Spectacular huge chandeliers by Bakalowits & Sons, Vienna, Austria. These handcrafted pieces featuring hundreds of handcut crystals were specially made for a German jewelry store. Ba...
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
$1,500 / set
H 16 in W 9 in D 6 in
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze 2-Light Sconces / Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair antique (19th century) sconces in the French Empire style with gilt bronze arms decorated with masks and mahogany backplates decorated with various neoclassical motifs.
Bronze
$14,500 / set
H 42 in W 18 in D 11 in
Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Victory Sconces
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very large and dramatic pair of French Empire style wall sconces in finely chased patinated and gilded bronze. A large winged Victory...
Bronze
Exquisite Lead Crystal and Gold Leaf Flush Mount Fixture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning vintage lead crystal flush mount fixture, designed in an exuberant floral motif with exquisite craftsmanship and detail. The fixture features delicately handblown clear le...
Crystal, Gold Leaf
1960's Semi Flush Mount Mixed Crystal Basket
By Nesle Inc. 1
Located in Denver, CO
An empire style semi flush mount crystal basket featuring a central band of rectangular flat crystals with arched edges and etched design within the field. From the central band are graduating jewels leading to a three-tiered cluster of faceted plugs. We attribute this to Nesle New York, a former curator of antique and reproduction lighting...
Crystal, Chrome
Sold
H 28 in Dm 19.75 in
Unique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Alabaster Chandelier, Late 19th Century
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Unique, wonderful Empire style alabaster and gilt bronze chandelier, France, 1885-1895. This unique piece had been ordered and d...
Alabaster, Bronze
Empire Style Flush Mount Chandelier, Vintage, 1980s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Empire style vintage pendant lighting. 1980s. The ceiling lamp is a real example of high-quality, beautiful and durable lighting. Wit...
Brass
Sold
H 5.5 in Dm 10.75 in
Wonderful Set 4 Vintage Regency Empire Bronze Star Ormolu Flush Mount Fixtures
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Set Of 4 Vintage Regency, Empire, Bronze Star Ormolu Rim Over A Frosted Glass Dome Flush Mount Fixtures Each With 2 candelabra light...
Brass, Ormolu
Sold
H 36.62 in Dm 30.71 in
Antique French Empire Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Eagle Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire style patinated bronze gilt chandelier. A superb and unique antique French Empire style neoclassical gilt and patinated bronze multi light chandelier of fine detail.This fine chandelier is embellished with gilt bronze chains, neoclassical gilt bronze ornaments and further adorned with figural eagle masks...
Bronze
French Empire Style Hanging Bouillotte Brass Pendant Light Fixture
Located in San Francisco, CA
A solid brass bouillotte style hanging light fixture with black shade. Re-wired and refurbished with new beeswax candle sleeves. Ready to install. Th...
Brass, Tin
Mid-Century Sunburst Ceiling Light, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid-century gilt metal sunburst or flower ceiling light with a fish eye glass lense. 1960s - Italy Tested and ready to use with regular E27 light bulb. Dimensions: Height: ...
Metal
Sold
H 7.25 in Dm 13.5 in
Waldorf Astoria Hotel Cut Glass Empire Flush Mount Light from Park Ave in NYC
Located in New York, NY
From the corridors of the Park Ave NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Towers, these Empire style flush mount light come with a cut glass bowl shade and...
Brass
20th Century Empire White Brass and Glass Ceiling Light by Banci Firenze
Located in Milano, MI
Italian 1980s ceiling light by Banci Firenze, an Empire style circular brass and ivory color painted ceiling fixture, decorated with six cast brass...
Brass
Sold
H 17 in Dm 11.5 in
Wonderful French Bronze Cut Crystal Neoclassical Empire Ormolu Bowl Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French doré bronze and cut crystal faceted neoclassical / Empire ormolu-mounted bowl chandelier with 3 candelabra sockets on the interior Height is adjustable by remov...
Crystal, Bronze
1931 Waldorf Astoria Crystal French Flushmount Basket Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
1931 French crystal basket light finished with an elegant crystal finial and a cast brass rim with floral details. This is original to suite 40R o...
Crystal, Brass