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Empire Lighting

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
Putti Baroque Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Porcelain rose
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Restored Solid Brass Chandelier with Cherub & Hand-Painted Porcelain Roses – 9 Lights A true masterpiece of classic lighting design, this opulent chandelier is crafted e...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

French Vintage Empire Style Crystal Basket Pendant Chandelier in Brass and Glass
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal basket pendant chandelier, 1970s – timeless elegance in a compact form. An elegant French vintage Empire-style crystal basket chandelier from the 1970s, ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Very period design. Newl...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Wire, Iron

Vintage French Empire Brass & Italian Black Marble Column Table Lamps (B), Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Italian Black Marble & Polished Brass Column Table Lamps With Black Textured Shades - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Originally an Empire Candelabra from the 1820s converted into a table lamp in the early 20th Century. The lampshade in black ...
Category

1820s European Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Iron, Wire

Late 19th Century Empire Style Gilded Bronze and Crystals Chandelier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and refined italian Empire style late 19th century chandelier with ten lights of which six on the outer circumference and four that illuminate the interior, called a hot-ai...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Category

2010s German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

French Antique Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp in with Tole Lampshade
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century three-light 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilded bronze and brass, with unusual duck's head styled arms and a typical green lacquered metal (tole) shade. Designed in...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. The middle part in the form of a column. Richly decorated with leaf and period Empir...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Pair Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Sac-à-Perle Chandeliers – Lovingly and Professionally Restored This stunning pair of antique chandeliers has been carefully and expertly restored in Berlin. T...
Category

1950s European Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Classic Pair of Bouillotte Vintage Finely Cast Brass Lamps
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of stunning bouillotte style brass table lamps having 3 arms finely cast from the 1940s with painted green and gold tole shades. Base 9” round Adjustable shade
Category

1940s American Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very nice cut crystal table lamps with bronze fittings, French Empire style. newly UL rewired
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Empire Brass Chandelier Crystal Lustre Ceiling Light Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing an exquisite Empire Brass Chandelier, adorned with sparkling crystals, and professionally restored with love in Berlin. This timeless piece has been thoughtfully re-wired...
Category

1940s European Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

19th Century French Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century Louis XV-style Bouillotte table lamp, with original, green, gilt- decorated tole lampshade, above a base of three upturned decorative brass candle arms supported ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Exceptional French Empire Brass Table Lamp, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Exceptional French Empire Brass Table Lamp, 1820s An outstanding French Empire brass table lamp, circa 1820–30, originally designed as an oil...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Early 20th Century Empire Brass and Bronze Table Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An early 20th-century French Empire-style brazier, which was used as a portable heater burning hot coals or other fuel for interior warmth. This example was converted to a table lamp...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Elegant Pair of Empire Bronze Table Lamps, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Bronze Table Lamps, France, 1820s Elegant pair of French table lamps crafted from original bronze Empire candlesticks, dating from the 1820s. The design features cla...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Brass Tole Metal Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Tole Metal Twin Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp with White Painted Metal Adjustable Oval Shade. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

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 ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Forest Green French Bouillotte Bronze Lamp Rewired
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant French Bouillotte Bronze Lamp with Forest Green Tole Shade, France, circa late 19th Century. It has been rewired and is ready to use.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp. Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three dolphin decorated scrolled arms. A finely chiselled stem...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Majestic Huge Schonbek "Camelot" 2643 Crystal Gem Cut 84 Light Chandelier
Located in Tustin, CA
Very elegant, finest quality, estate Schonbek Swarovski Gemcut crystal chandelier features classic Napoleonic Empire style. This stately and magnificent chandelier has two tiers and approximately 84 incandescent lights. It measures 65" long and 41.5" in diameter. The hardware is finished in gold. This chandelier is lavishly draped in crystals. The retail price of a new, made to order chandelier of this size is over $22,000.00. Reference page 104 of the Schonbek Beyond Lighting catalogue shown in the photos. Schonbek Worldwide Lighting, a Swarovski company, has 149 years of experience crafting superior crystal...
Category

Early 2000s Austrian Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Metal

19th-Century French Three-Arm Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Lincoln, GB
19th-Century French Three-Arm Bouillotte Table Lamp A beautifully cast and impressively weighty 19th-century French Bouillotte table lamp, executed in gilt bronze and retaining a sup...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Antique French Empire Cut Crystal Globe Gilded Bronze
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a rare find. Its a 1920s French Empire cut crystal and gilded bronze chandelier. The has one large center globe surrounded by 6 smaller matching glo...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

20th Century Gilded Brass and Glass Flowers Chandelier, 1970s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Rare and beautiful 20th century gilted brass and glass flowers chandelier from the 1970s. At the center of the chandelier you will find a brass ball that have a light at the extre...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Solid Brass and Glass Lantern or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made in the style of the Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes three E14 ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Late 20th Century Bouillotte Table Lamp – Neoclassical Style – Gilt Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant late 20th century table lamp in neoclassical bouillotte style, made of high-quality gilt bronze with refined detailing and a beautifully polished finish. The craftsmanship...
Category

1990s French Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Wonderful Pair French Empire Dore Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Column Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Empire Dore Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Column Form Lamps With Black Paper Shades
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Empire-Style Brass Chandelier with Frosted Glass Shade, Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Antique Empire-Style Brass Chandelier with Frosted Glass Shade, Early 20th Century Exquisite antique chandelier crafted in the Empire style, featuring an ornate brass frame with gra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940. Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb. Original patin...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Empire style large chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant style makes this fixture highly desirable. It has a crown at the crest and has brilliant crystals That cascade downward in an arc shape that attach To a large bowl forming a...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Beaded Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in bronze, early 19th Century France, originally candlesticks. Includes new black lacquer lampshade with gold details, giving the lamp a warm and ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Lavender Purple Chandelier, circa 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare lavender purple crystal prisms throughout and huge smooth lavend...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Antique French Billiard, Snooker or Kitchen Island Brass Chandelier, 1850s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A huge and impressive French Empire brass chandelier for billiard/snooker or kitchen island. Lamp socket: 2 x E27 or E26 ( US) for standard screw bulbs. France, circa 1840 - 1860s....
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Category

2010s German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

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...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (circa 1810) gilt bronze and cut glass chandelier with cut crystal strands emanating from a gilt bronze center ring with 8 arms.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Frederick Cooper Figural Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Empire style Frederick Cooper lamps featuring a striking figural bronze female sculpture on top of an intricately carved base. Includes original silk shades with corded edgin...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Bronze Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century Empire style cast bronze table lamp with new linen shade, converted from gas to electric. This substantial Neoclassical fixture has a Greco-Roman female figure fo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Empire Dark Green Four-Arm Chandelier Made of Leather and Brass, France 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
This lovely French chandelier was found in a villa built in the late 1950s. The beautiful, high-quality craftsmanship is impressive. The lampshades are made of metal and then covered...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Empire style. Huge glass table lamp by Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Huge table lamp from Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s. The glass body is 39 centimeters high made of one-piece molded glass with engraved and cutted details. The base and the struct...
Category

1960s Irish Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Chrome, Bronze, Brass, Metal

French Empire Style Alabaster and Gilt Bronze Domed Plafonnier, 20th/21st C.
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th C./Early 21st C., a large and imposing French Empire style plafonnier from Spain featuring a rich cream alabaster bowl suspended by three gilt-bronze supports with classica...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Empire Lighting

Materials

Stone, Alabaster, Metal, Bronze

French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Putti Face Empire Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Restored Crystal Chandelier – Handcrafted Elegance We are offering a unique, fully restored chandelier in excellent condition: Completely restored, including fully renewed wiring Ha...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890. The lamp ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style eight-light chandelier, with intricate brass casting that, contrasts with the black to create a striking effect. The fine detai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Pair Empire Dore Bronze Winged Putti Candelabras
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Wonderful pair of French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassical four-arm candelabra with finely cast decorated detail. Each lamp features a classical w...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Brass & Italian Black Marble Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Italian Black Marble & Polished Brass Column Table Lamps With Black Textured Shades - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s. Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Bronze

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5" W...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Empire lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Alexandre Vossion, and Maison Baguès. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $194 and tops out at $220,000 while the average work can sell for $4,434.

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