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.
$1,906Sale Price / set|50% Off
Maison Lucien Gau bronze wall lighting model Swann Empire , France 1960s
Located in La xara, VC
The wall sconces correspond to the swan model by Maison Lucien Gau, a Parisian bronze art manufacturer specializing in bronze lighting since 1860, still active today. Model Identifi...
Bronze
Set of Three Antique French Empire Wall Light Sconces 2 Lights torch, France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A nice set of three sconces with 2 light sources, made of bronze in torch styles. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabra bulbs, each up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a...
Bronze
Pair of Second Empire Heavy 2 Light Bronze Sconces Wall Lights Late 19th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of second Empire heavy 2 light solid polished bronze dore sconces, light fixture, wall lamps from the late 19th century. Depict face motif in the middle a...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870. This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Bronze
Pair Of Antique Brass Peacock Wall light, Spain, 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful brass wall lights with crystal glass beads. Manufactured in the 1960s in Europe, Spain. The lights are in the shape of a peacock. With crystal beads between the b...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads. Each sconce ha...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Brass Wall Sconces, Arrow Horn Motif, 1920s
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Antique French Empire style brass horn and arrow motif wall sconces. Each with 2 candelabra size lights with black and gold clip on shades. Newly wired, added are 5" round ba...
Brass
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-chiseled details. The backplate of this sconce is a central round plate wit...
Bronze
French Empire Style Cast Brass Dual Arm Wall Sconces, pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of French Empire Style casted brass wall sconces, each sconce features 2 arms each powered by 25w E12 chandelier bulb. These classic-styled scones work well in Victorian-styled ...
Brass
1920’s French Empire Small Chandelier 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920’s French Empire style small chandelier with swam’s heads. Unusual 3 lights. Green color
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconce
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A precious gilt bronze two-light wall sconce in the Empire style, France, 1920-1929. Finely elaborate with hand chiseled details. Typical design of French Empire period due to its rich ornamentation with faces and acanthus leaf motifs. The bottom is characterized by a man head supporting a pedestal with the lamp-arms. Two scroll light...
Bronze
$2,145Sale Price / set|28% Off
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze. This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps. Originates France, circa 1870.
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Style Niermann Weeks Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of wall sconces in the Empire style with embossed gilt metal having a floral-like design, three electrified lights with beeswax candle covers...
Brass
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Candle Wall Sconces Candlestick, Italy, 1970s
By Palladio
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of giltwood candlestick wall sconces 1970s in empire style. Each fixture requires two candles. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement.
Metal
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Swan Goose Motif Arms, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice Sconces. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabras bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic stat...
Bronze
Pair of Bronze and Green Empire Wall Lights with Beige/Green Shades
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair of bronze and green Empire wall lights with beige/green shades.
Bronze
French 19th Century Brass Empire Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire brass sconce of French design, 19th century. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophistic...
Metal, Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabras Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of 19th-Century French Empire gilded bronze three arm light wall sconces, circa 1850-1870. These beautiful sconces have a lovely gilt patina with foliate and floral d...
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Arrow Wall Sconces Lamp Featuring Goddess Ceres
Located in Toronto, CA
This exquisite pair of Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces effortlessly blends classical grandeur with subtle Art Deco influences, making them a rare and elegant addition to any in...
Bronze
Pair of Stunning Russian Empire Period Ormolu Wall Sconces , ca. 1820s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A stunning pair of Russian empire period ormolu wall candelabras , ca. 1800s-1830s.
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Style Brass and Bronze Three-Light Wall Sconces, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant French Empire-style brass and bronze sconces with three-light configuration, circa 1920, featuring circular form and classical symmetry. A refined pair of French Empire-styl...
Bronze, Brass
$1,390Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Italian Bronze and Cammeo Appliques from the 1800s
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of bronze appliques made in the 1800s, each of which has a pair of original hand-sculpted cameos with different scenes / views Both lights come with wiring and wiring, which ...
Bronze
Pair of Caldwell French Empire Style Ormolu Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (late 19th Century) ormolu wall sconces with sixteen arms, and shield form back plates with crossed palm fronds surrounding a scrolling vine cast pierced ...
Ormolu
French Crystal Prisms Balls Empire Sconces, circa 1930 Sparklers
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze top, middle and bottom with great ...
Crystal, Bronze
Carved Italian Giltwood Three-Arm Sconce by Randy Esada Designs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Carved Italian giltwood three-arm sconce by Randy Esada Designs.
Giltwood
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in ...
Brass
French Empire Style Crystal and Brass Sconce Wall Light, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable Empire-style sconce features a brass frame draped with crystal glass beading on the top level and three tiers of crystal glass pendants on the bottom. Two interior ligh...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
$2,800 / set
1920's French Empire Single Light Swan Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light sconces with Swan’s head
Bronze
French Empire Brass & Yellow Marble Glass Sconce
Located in Amsterdam, NL
French empire sconce / wall lamp Yellow marble glass shades Brass wall piece and brass arm B22 bulb holder / Bayonet Weight: 0.95 kg / 2.1 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Ormolu Caduceus Wall Appliques, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of late 19th century Empire gilt bronze ormolu wall appliques of arms holding Caduceus staffs, France By: unknown Material: bronze, copper, metal, cord, ormolu Technique: cast,...
Metal, Bronze, Copper, Ormolu
1900's French Empire Arrow Gold and Black Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's French Empire style double light arrow sconces
Bronze
Pair of Empire style wall lamps, possibly gilded bronze
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of Empire-style wall lamps, probably gilded bronze. Good condition. Thank you.
Crystal, Bronze
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Glass
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large French Empire gilt and patina bronze chandelier of circular form, suspended from six elongated chains composed of alternating openwork and solid links. The corona is cast wit...
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920's French Empire Black Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1920's empire style sconces with Blackmoore putti.
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Pair of Cast Metal 2-Light Wall Sconces by Palladio
By Palladio
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century pair of cast metal 2-light wall sconces, Italian by Palladio. Never electrified. Empire style. Bird head scrolled arms to fluted candleholder, while arrows in a quiv...
Metal
$4,800 / set
1930's French Empire Lion and Swans Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire bronze sconces with swans and lions head backplate.
Bronze
$26,695Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Very Large French 19th Century Gilded Bronze Sconces
By Pierre Bureaux
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of very large French 19th Century gilded bronze sconces. Last picture in situ. Empire style, three-branch wall-lights, after a model by Edme Jean Gallien (1720-1797) and Pierre ...
Bronze
$1,072Sale Price / set|46% Off
c1910 French Empire Gilt Metal Framed Cut Cascading Crystal Form Basket Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1910 Pair of French Empire style Gilt Metal Wall Sconces. In the cascading crystal to form tent bottom - that is this style. Bronzse framed Rair pair.
Crystal
Pair of Massive Patinated and Gilt Bronze 5-Light Sconces, Wall Appliques
Located in Germantown, MD
A Massive Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Five-Light Wall Appliques or Sconces, 20th Century, in the style of E.F. Caldwell. This pair is large and features a patinated putti form ...
Metal, Bronze
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Pair of Italian Gilt Bronze Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style Italian - Circa 1880 These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion mask pl...
Bronze, Ormolu
$5,800 / set
1930's French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with Ram's heads.
Bronze
$2,560Sale Price|32% Off
Niermann Weeks Empire Style Large Crystals and Metal Wall Sconce or Lantern
Located in Plainview, NY
An elegant iron and crystal wall sconce or lantern by Niermann Weeks. The sconce is made of solid metal and crystals in a timeless Empire style fashion. The sconce features a plume c...
Crystal, Iron
Large Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of circa 1900 French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces showcases the mythological figure Acantha, a nymph beloved by the god Apollo. According to legend, Apollo transformed ...
Bronze
Set of Four Empire Ormolu Three-Light Wall Sconces, Attributed to Ravrio
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each backplate topped with a mask of Athena surmounted by an owl and ending in a stylized bellflower and anthemion, issuing three leaf-wrapped scrolling arms. Electrified. André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814) was a French sculptor in bronze and was made a master founder in 1777 setting up in business 1790. Although Ravrio enjoyed success during Louis XVI’s reign, he achieved far greater fame under Napoleon. He took part in the first Exposition de l’Industrie, Paris, 1803 and then won a silver medal there in 1806. The same year he supplied a number of bronze furnishings for the Empress Joséphine’s apartments in the Tuileries and in 1810 was appointed as the Emperor’s chief bronzier. In this capicity he supplied some of the finest Empire bronze pieces, girandoles, candelabras and lamps as well as ornate furniture...
Bronze
1900's French Empire Sconces With Swans three lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900's French empire style bronze sconces with swans and three lights
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Dore & Patinated Bronze Egyptian Revival 3-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze & Patinated Bronze Egyptian Revival 3-Light Sconces/wall lights Each wall sconce is constructed with a vertically oriented rectangular backplat...
Bronze
$2,400 / set
1900's French Empire Style Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900' s French Empire style small sconces with two lights
Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa late 19th century French Empire sconces with eagle's heads and woman's faces. Original finish and patina, *8 available
Bronze
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century Provenance: ...
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1900 French Empire Sconces With Swams
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1900 French Empire sconces with swan's head
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Figural Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A grand and finely cast pair of French Empire style ormolu and patinated bronze three-arm figural wall sconces. Each sconce centers on a striking classical maiden, beautifully render...
Bronze, Ormolu
$4,800 / set
1930's French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930,s French Empire style wall sconces with bend glass inset from Mr..Icahn's Penthouse in NYC
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Green Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th Century French empire style double lights sconces, green patinated bronze.
Bronze
1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous two lights wall light in pink lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970' and then left in...
Brass
Vintage Pair Of Wall Lights, Circa 1960 in Chiseled and Gilded Bronze, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An elegant Pair Of Louis XVI style Wall Lights Circa 1960 in finely chiseled and gilded bronze with two light arms. Fake opaline candles. Manufactured in France, 1960s. They're op...
Bronze
Beautiful pair of 1940's French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Brass
2 brass and glass Peacock wall-sconces in Hollywood regency style
Located in Zemst, BE
2 wall sconces in brass and glass Peacock form Wonderful condition. Original wiring, that's still ok: ready for use. Place of origin: Spain No manufacturer known Period: mid 1970...
Brass
Pair French Empire Style Gilt Metal Sconces with Sunburst Motif
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique gilt metal sconces in the French Empire style with sunburst motif, candelabra size sockets and white candle covers, modern wi...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Giltwood