Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
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.
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Style: Empire
Vintage Sconces Two Wall Lights Gold Bronze Crystal Drops Beads, France, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage sconces bronze with gilding, crystal from France, mid-20th century, each with two lamps, very beautiful and festive!
The crystal droplets are stunning, different shapes and...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Signed E F. Caldwell Neo-Classical Style Bronze Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of signed Caldwell bronze sconces are in the neo-classical style. They feature Antique motifs including anthemion, and leopard heads.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Empire Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th century) bronze wall sconces with 5 arms, swan tops and a double ball design (Priced as pair).
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, 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
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire style pair of gilt bronze sconces with 5 lights. A classic pair in the colors of gold and black. Very nice!.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
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: ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Bronze Wall Sconces Double Armed Lighting Lamp In Candelabra Style
Located in Bastogne, BE
Pair of empire style wall lights manufactured in the 20th century.
Bronze construction.
Original gilding. The sconces are decorated with ac...
Category
1970s Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of French Empire Revival Bronze Two Light Wall Sconce
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire Revival wall sconce with a torch like design having two scroll form arms and flame finial top (PRICED AS PAIR )
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
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...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Bronze and Ebonized Caryatid Figural Wall Sconce
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th century) ebonized bronze and gilt trim caryatid wall sconce with a central winged figure holding two candleholders.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, 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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Ormolu
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular and large antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi-light chandelier. This fine chandelier is embellished with gilt bronze swan arms and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
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.
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Brass Sconces, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of French Empire three-light brass sconces with lion faces, converted to electric.
Recently restored, having wax candle sleeves and holding chandelier size light bulbs.
Fran...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Sconces with Exceptional Casting
Located in Charleston, SC
A large pair of exceptionally well cast 19th century French Empire bronze doré sconces, circa 1810, featuring quiver base with three candle arms, finely detailed eagle heads, foliate...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Large Empire Appliqués / Sconces circa 1800, Gilded Linden Wood
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of large Empire appliqués / sconces circa 1800, gilded linden wood
Solid linden wood, gilded two-flame. Carved, gilded. Ribbon, each with a central, fully sculpted eagle sculpt...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Splendid Bronze French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Absolutely sublime top drawer bronze electried antique wall sconces having 2 lights each, and marvelous decoration including urn at the top, tassel at the bottom, acanthus leaves and...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Two Light Wall Sconces
Located in Montreal, QC
This attractive pair in the Empire style, with palmette decorated backplates and stylised sconces are centered on black circular panels with gilt raised ornament.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass
Timothy Outlton, Empire Style, Wall Sconces, Steel, Crystal, 1990s
Located in Manhasset, NY
A pair of Niermann Weeks style three light crystal and metal wall lights by Timothy Oulton. Each in the Empire style with aged metal and crystal design. Part of a large collection of...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Metal
A Pair of French Empire-Style Sconces With Etched Hurricane Shades
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French empire style gilt bronze wall sconces with neoclassical details having antique etched glass hurricane shades. Circa 1980
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Heavy Cast Bronze Empire Wall Sconce w 3 Lights Quantity Available
Located in New York, NY
Heavy cast bronze three light sconce done in an Empire style. Small quantity available at time of posting. Priced each. Please inquire. Please note, this item is located in our Scran...
Category
Early 2000s Argentine Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Wall Girdle/Wall Light after Antoine-André Ravrio
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial Empire wall girdle to Antoine-André Ravrio 1759-1814.
Bronze, gilded or partly dark patinated. From acanthus of fullplastic herme / Amor adult with, holding a vase as a car...
Category
20th Century Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Giltwood Two-Light Sconces Attributed to E.F Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Empire style giltwood two-light sconces, the backplate in the form of the harvest goddess Ceres, issuing two candle arms, the bottom half in the form of an anthemion, wired...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Giltwood
Elegant pair of French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of 1940's French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire/ Charles X Gilt and Patinated Bronze Four-Light Wall Appliques
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Empire/ Charles X Gilt and Patinated Bronze Four-Light Wall Appliques or Sconces
A pair of Empire/ Charles X four-branch ormolu/gilt and patinated bronze wall lights “à la c...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Important First Empire Period Ormolu Sconces
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Essex, MA
Period ormolu sconces in First Empire, imperial Russian, realistic lion mask form
--Percier and fontaine designed lion mask being impaled by th...
Category
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Ormolu
Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces, Lyre Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Empire style gilt-bronze two-light lyre sconces
Each pierced stringed lyre-form backplate with the mask of Apollo above two scrolling branches centered by a star over an acorn pendant.
Provenance:
Maison Tisserand, Paris.
C Property from the Estate of Roger Prigent.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set 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 Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Waldorf Astoria Brass & Crystal Empire Wall Sconce Qty Available
Located in New York, NY
Large scale 20th Century brass and crystal Empire style wall sconces. These were retrieved from the Vanderbilt Room which was located off the right side of the main lobby entrance on...
Category
20th Century Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass
A Pair of Early 19th Century French Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of early 19th Century French tole sconces. Converted from oil lamps with classical gilt figures and Directoire imagery. Circa 1820s.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
Large Pair, Empire Style Sconces, 18-Karat Gold Plate, 3 Lights, Black Shaft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Larger pair of Empire Looking style sconces They are of hi-quality lost wax Bronze castings with fine detailing . With polished 18-karat gold plated finish in Antique. Center sha...
Category
1990s American Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire-Style Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Gilt and patinated bronze Empire-style wall lights
French, Early 20th century
Height 35cm, width 36cm, depth 20cm
This pair of wall lights or sconces are modeled in the opulent...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Design of Lady Face Sconces Gold Dore' Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast in bronze with real 18K gold Dore' finish. Contemporary hi-quality castings in fine details. From the original French pair. Look fantastic on the wall a...
Category
1990s North American Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Set of Eight French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A set of eight superb French Empire style gilt bronze figural double light wall sconces of great quality embellished with fine figural masks of neoclassical men.
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
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 ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Giltwood
Two French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These two sconces have been crafted in the Empire style, which was popularised by the French Emperor, Napoleon I. The Empire style is characterised by its grandeur and use of opulent...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style gilt bronze sconces
French, 20th Century
Measures: Height 88cm, width 38cm, depth 35cm
This elegant pair of sconces is wrought from gilt bronze in th...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Gilded, Mirrored, Period Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of period, hand carved, gessoed, and 22-karat gold gilded, Second Empire, French sconces. Each with gilt bronze arms, and inset with original, mercury glass mirrors. Each with...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces
Circa 1830
Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Set of Four Empire Style Three-Light Wall Sconces, Gilt and Patinated
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four French Empire style cast bronze three-arm wall sconces. The
oval cast gilt bronze back plate, with stylized acanthus leaf design, supporting a gilt banded dark patinated...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Wall Sconces attributed to Caldwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Bronze & Crystal Wall Sconces, each having a pierced anthemion backplates, demi lume corona with three lights above a band of square and kite shaped prisms & steel liner. US...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Sconces Wall Lights, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming pair of sconces. Perfect to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an entryway as a charming welcom...
Category
1960s German Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Painted and Gilt Metal Sconce
Located in London, GB
Empire style painted and gilt metal sconce
French, 20th century
measures: Height 34cm, width 26cm, depth 17cm
This elegant sconce is crafted in the Empire style. The sconce feat...
Category
20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Pair of French Second Empire Three-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Montreal, QC
These good quality sconces in mat black and gilt bronze are pierced with scrolls and flower heads and with drip pans and arms cast with stylized acanthus. The two-tone gilding and ha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
French Bronze Bows Crystal Prisms Empire Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light each. Will be rewired with certified US UL sockets for the United States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Bronze detail bows with ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Metal
1920s French Empire Sconces with 3 lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large French empire style sconces with 3 lights
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Wall Sconces, Circa 1900
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire gold bronze wall sconces, Circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pr. 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze "Lions Head" Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues. Very highly detailed and ultra high quality. French Estate.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Bronze D'ore Wall-Lights, circa 1830-1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique bronze D'ore French Empire wall-lights, circa 1830-1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
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 ...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Bronze Crossed Arrows Wall Sconces
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of bronze wall sconces present a chiseled macarrons with two crossed arrows. This is a French work in the Empire style. Circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
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.
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
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 ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire wall lights and sconces 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 wall lights and sconces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire wall lights and sconces 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 wall lights and sconces, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Maison Baguès, and Niermann Weeks. 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 wall lights and sconces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $227 and tops out at $87,500 while the average work can sell for $3,200.