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.
An Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass And Patinated Bronze Lantern
Located in London, GB
A large Empire style lantern in patinated bronze with gilt brass accents. Four curved glass panels, decorative scrolled inner branch arms. Gilt br...
Brass, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Style Bronze Lantern, Spain, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large bronze French Empire style lantern.
Bronze
Pair of English Copper & Brass Glass Lanterns Orig. Gas, William Edgar C. 1890
By William Edgar
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Copper and Brass hinged glass lanterns signed William Edgar, Blenheim House, Hammersmith. Pair were originally gas and can be electrified or returned to gas if desire...
Copper, Brass
$15,840Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Empire Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Eagle Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An Antique French Empire Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Multi-light Chandelier. The chandelier features a circular patinated bronze body of wide, tapering form, suspended by four elaborate reticulated gilt...
Bronze
French Empire Style Frosted Glass Hanging Lamp with Gilt Bronze and Crystal Pris
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful and decorative French glass hanging lamp executed in the Empire style, circa 1850 The lamp features an elegant frosted glass bowl engraved with delicate star motifs and a c...
Bronze
Small and Lovely Napoleon / Empire Style Bronze Chandelier / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare size chandelier from the 1920s. If you look at the shape of the centre and the shape of the arms that grow out of this pendant then you capture the essence of it. It is stylish...
Bronze
Venetian Glass Lantern Hand Blown
By Balboa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking 1970s Italian Murano glass pendant featuring a richly textured amber glass shade enclosed in a sculptural brass frame. The organic, handblown form displays a mesmerizing p...
Metal
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze & Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light. Measures: Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm Height 20.5 in (10 in, chain)/ 75 cm (25 cm, chain) Weight...
Bronze
Custom Made Brass Lantern Chandelier Circular Glass Pendant Light 6 Light Fixtur
Located in Berlin, DE
This exceptional lantern is our own original creation, handcrafted in our workshop with the highest level of precision and attention to detail. Every element is carefully made by han...
Brass
Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French Empire neoclassical gilt and patina bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular corona decorated with a continuous band of gilt laurel leaves...
Bronze
$5,300 / item
French Ivory Lantern
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Ivory lantern, based on a French design, the delicate hand-painted decoration on the slatted glass adds texture. The motif on the coronet is reflec...
Metal
French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Steel Figural Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and steel figural chandelier of refined execution. The chandelier features a circular steel dish-shaped body richly mounted with gilt bronze ...
Bronze, Steel
$976Sale Price|20% Off
19thc French Empire Green Art Glass Lantern Intricately Patterned
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire Intricately Patterned Green Art Glass Lantern with Bronze Element. Lovely antique lantern which will arrive newly electrified and with 15 inches of chain and ceil...
Art Glass
Wonderful French Neoclassical Large Empire Bronze Crystal Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French neoclassical large Empire bronze and crystal adorning glass bell jar lantern fixture with 6 candelabra lights.
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Large and Important Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large and important antique French Empire gilt bronze chandeliers, each of circular form with a white enamel central dish and multiple ormolu-mounted branches. The dishes a...
Bronze
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light. Dimensions : Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm ...
Bronze
$18,750 / item
Empire Style Lantern Form Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb Louis WVI style lantern. Two toned patinated bronze, with curved glass panels. 3-light, France, circa 1900. Apparently unmarked. Measures: Height 42", diameter 19". Pair ...
Bronze
Wonderful French Louis XVI Dore Bronze Blown Glass Regency Lantern Light Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Large French Louis XVI Dore Bronze Blown Glass Regency / Empire Lantern Light Fixture With 4 Swan Figures Leading To Candelabra Lights, Accompanied By Chain And Canopy
Bronze
Elegant Louis XVI Gilded Bronze Lantern with Hand-Cut Glass Panels, France
Located in Coimbra, PT
This exquisite Louis XVI-style lantern is a remarkable example of early 20th-century French craftsmanship. Executed in finely gilded bronze, the piece features intricate neoclassical...
Bronze
$15,000
Hanging Lantern
By Boston and Sandwich Glass Company
Located in New York, NY
American (glass attributed to Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, Sandwich, Massachusetts), circa 1830-1840. Glass, blown, partially frosted, and wheel cut, with cast and die-rolled brass, patinated. This hanging lamp is typical of the production of such lanterns by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company of Sandwich, Massachusetts, during the 1830s, and perhaps as late as the early 1840s. The present example is an unusually elaborate specimen with its overall frosting and cutting. In their The Glass Industry in Sandwich, II (1989), Raymond E. Barlow and Joan E. Kaiser quote Boston & Sandwich Glass Company manager Deming Jarves on the fabrication of lamps of this general type (p. 225 no. 2398). These hanging lanterns could be supplied with a candle or with a peg lamp...
Brass
Price Upon Request
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Superb Antique Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Multi Light Chandelier of Exquisite Detail Embellished with Cut Crystal Prisms and Chains, Circa 1810. The chandelier features an...
Crystal, Bronze
French Antique, Louis XVI Style Lantern, Brass and Glass
Located in Austin, TX
Lantern from France in the Louis XVI style. This piece has a brass structure with finely cast details. Four candelabra arms sit within the original curved glass. This piece has been ...
Brass
$11,900 / item
H 32.5 in Dm 14.5 in
French Modern Neoclassical Style Brass and Blown Glass Chandeliers/ Lanterns
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and Timeless French Mid-century style Modern Neoclassical lanterns / pendants / chandeliers. Sober, tasteful with the highest quality materials and workmanship, handcrafted g...
Brass
$8,851 / set
H 32 in Dm 12 in
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light. Dimensions : Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm ...
Bronze
$2,773
H 34 in Dm 10.3 in
Empire Revival Bronze and Glass Lantern with Arrow Detailing, France, circa 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size, great condition bronze hallway pendant with unique antique blown circular glass. This striking French lantern is a refined example of Empire Revival craftsmanship, dating...
Brass, Wire, Bronze
American Wrought Iron and Opaline Glass Gas/Electric Lantern
Located in Montreal, QC
This highly unusual lantern dates from a time when both gas and electricity were available, the last quarter of the 19th century. The central part was once gas but is now electric, t...
Metal
Large French Bronze Lantern
Located in Washington, DC
A six sided large French Bronze Lantern. French.
Bronze
French Vintage Lantern, 1960s Bronze & Glass lantern
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Five Sided Forged Bronze and glass ceiling lantern. France, Circa 1960s. Decorate your ceiling with Bronze Pentagonal Lantern of Mid 20th century. This lantern is fully bronze with gilt decor and would be perfect for a hallway or staircase, but also as a chandelier. The 5 sides have 5 transparent glass windows. There 2 Light bulbs in the form of faux candlestick. Lamps in the form of a lantern always look interesting in the interior and create a romantic and mysterious atmosphere. Beautiful Vintage Lantern...
Bronze
$2,195 / item
H 14 in Dm 9 in
Small Emerald Ceramic Pendant Light, Oiled Bronze, Ajedrez Atzompa Collection
Located in New York, NY
Our Atzompa collection is created in the Oaxacan town of Santa María Atzompa, where the pottery-making tradition has roots tracing back to ancient Z...
Ceramic
Pair of Vintage Brass and Copper Wall Hanging Lantern
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Artistically made vintage hand crafted solid brass and copper lantern with one 60/watt light , seeded acrylic glass like at all side , with beautiful patina. Great decorative pair o...
Brass, Copper
French Patinated Bronze Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A French neoclassic style patinated bronze lantern with glass panels and circa 1920s six interior candelabra lights. Measurements: Present...
Bronze
Bronze Lantern, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze lantern, circa 1950 Need new electric system. Original glasses missing. Bronze signed.
Antique French Bronze Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920s French patinated bronze lantern with original patina. Measurements: Diameter 9.5" Minimum drop 25"
Bronze
Sold
H 16 in Dm 10 in
Pair of Austria Blown Glass & Bronze Hanging Bell Jar Hall Lanterns R. Wien 1850
By Wien
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare pair of Austria blown glass and bronze hanging bell jar hall lanterns, Signed R. Ditmar Wien, Austria. Mid 19th Century
Bronze
Gaetano Sciolari Pair of Solid Brass and Glass Lanterns or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Pair of Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made by Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes four E14 European s...
Brass
1930's French Empire Style Lantern
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French gilt bronze Empire style indoor lantern with glass panels inset.
Bronze
Sold
H 30 in Dm 13.5 in
Empire Dore Lantern Chandelier, Frosted Etched Glass, 19th Century, Solid Bronze
Located in Stamford, CT
Empire Dore Lantern Chandelier, Frosted Etched Glass, 19th Century, Solid Bronze Pendant A finely cast dore bronze lantern pendant having etched frosted g...
Bronze
Bohemia Crystal Beaded Chandelier, 1910-1920
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A lovely small Bohemia crystal and brass tent and bag pendant, brought abroad from Czechoslovakia in the early 1900s. This is a wonderful chandelier with beautiful light effect and i...
Crystal, Brass
Wonderful Neoclassical Empire Glass Bell Jar Lantern Fixture Eagle Bronze Heads
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Neoclassical, Empire Style Glass & Bronze Bell Jar Lantern Fixture With 3 Eagle Heads, Fitted With 3 Candelabra Lights On The Inside, Rewired And Accompanied By Chain And...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 37.41 in Dm 13.78 in
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Cut Glass 3-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful antique large French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with 3-light bulbs. Dimensions: Diameter 13.8 in / 35 cm Height 37.41 in (...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 33.47 in Dm 22.05 in
Italian Florentine Hall Glass Chandelier by Banci Gilt and Green Wrought Iron
Located in Milano, MI
Italian Banci Firenze wrought iron verdigris painted lantern with glass bowl 1980s. Elegant three-light vintage bell jar lantern with a verdigris scav...
Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Beaded Crystal Chandelier
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A wonderful Empire style bronze parcel brass crystal beaded chandelier, France mid-19th century. Beads, drops, and bottom ball are of genuine crystal, solid bronze and brass richly e...
Crystal, Bronze
Sold
H 32 in Dm 12 in
French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier, Pair
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light. Measures: Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm H...
Bronze
Large Gilt Bronze Hall Lantern, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
Large gilt bronze hall lantern, 19th century.
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Bent Glass Petite Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire neoclassical ormolu bronze and bent glass 3 candelabra light lantern fixture completely rewired with new sockets.
Bronze, Ormolu