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
A very fine Gilt & Enameled Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Empire style chandelier. Gilt and enameled bronze.
France, circa 1910. 4-light
Dimensions: Height 34", diameter 18".
CW3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Ram's Head Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Six-arm Empire style ram's head chandelier. Solid brass and heavy. Has great patina. In working condition. Will be professionally packed and shipped. Price based on destination.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century.
Dimens...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Composition
20th Century Magnificent, Classical Swedish Ceiling Crown, Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent, classical Swedish ceiling crown, chandelier
Polished brass. Curved, star shaped body with teardrop-shaped, faceted glass hangings, starti...
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th Century French Empire Style Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
19th century French Empire style hall lantern, of pentagonal form with gilt swan mounts to each vertex and three-light suspended fitti...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine silver over bronze hand carved alabaster pendant, France, circa 1930.
Dimensions: Height 39 1/2", diameter 22"
CW3329.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
Pair Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass four
Located in Berlin, DE
**Set of 6 Available - Vintage Chandeliers from a Baltic Sea Castle**
Here's a unique opportunity to acquire a set of 6 exquisite vintage chandeliers, each originating from a castle...
Category
Early 18th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Antique French Ormolu and Milk Glass Empire Fixture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The ormolu swans lend a special grace to this milk glass Empire style fixture. It is medium-sized and would work well in many settings.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Antique French Empire Gold and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
These patinated sconces are handsome, with their floral and eagle decorations. They make a strong statement while being modestly sized.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Gold
Large Pair of French Empire Period Candelabra, Attributed to Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent large pair of five-light doré bronze and patinated bronze Empire period candelabra, attributed to Claude Galle made in the early 1800s. This pair of candelabra are set ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and crystal basket chandelier attributed to Baccarat. 15-light
France, circa 1910.
Dimensions: Height 5...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Elegant pair of French turn of the century woos sconces ( Empire style )
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of French wood sconces, Empire style, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in gilt Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly rewired elect...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and hand carved Alabaster pendant. 4 lights.
Dimensions: Height 39" diameter 29 1/2" France, circa 1930.
CW3174.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
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
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights.
This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Italy Post-Modern Sky Blue Porcelain Brass Chandelier 6 Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 6 lights Chandelier in sky-blue color, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in stock unt...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Eighteen Light Bronze Empire Chandelier.
Located in Fairfax, VA
French large bronze eighteen light chandelier with black lacquered center part.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Height can be adjusted by removing some of the chain.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Italian Marble and Gold Gilt Bronze Corinthian Column Table Lamps a pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage High end Italian green marble and gold gilded bronze corinthian column table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps
Des...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Hanging Chandelier Pendant
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style chandelier pendant with cast glass dish and bronze details. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel...
Category
20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Steel
Large Empire Style Bronze Pillar Floor Lamp with a Frosted Glass Globe Shade
Located in Dubai, AE
Antique floor pole lamp in dark patinated bronze on a tree-claw-feet elevated base. Decorated with gild friezes on the top part and completed with a globe frosted glass cover, that ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fabulous Antique French Empire Twelve-Arm Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant fancy French mpire chandelier dripping with crystals and having 12 arms, 40 watt each.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Palace French Empire Chandelier 24 Candles
Located in STRAČOV, CZ
Palace French Empire Chandelier 24 Candles
A large and heavy chandelier from the 19th century in the Empire style. An elegant palatial chandelier that can be used with candles or el...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 Eagle Arms
Located in Halle, DE
A beautiful 20th Century classic French Empire gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 sculptural Eagle Arms .
The Bouillotte Lamp present a classic dark-green painted tole shade with ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Czech Crystal Tent & Bag Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Bohemian Tent and Bag, or Sack of Pearls chandelier made of hundreds of crystal strands. This one is particularly special with a skirt of spear-shaped leaded crystals and beaded g...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
French Empire Style Glass and Bronze Two-Light Pendant Chandelier, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style glass and bronze two-light Pendant Chandelier, circa the 1950s.
This absolutely adorable Empire-style chandelier features a bronze frame with two arrows and two b...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
Grande Lampadario Impero Dorato Italiano con Cristalli 1780 Circa Sedici Luci
Located in Milan, IT
Monumentale Lampadario Impero a sedici bracci, antico lampadario piemontese, la regione del nord Italia che confina con la Francia, di epoca Impero, realizzato a mano in ferro e cris...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
French Empire Painted Tole Oil Burning Chandelier now Electrified, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Completely original with a canopy of palm fronds issuing three lengths of hand forged chain supporting a large perforated ring with a stretcher that originally held lamp oil, now wir...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Tin
Pair of Patinated and Gilt Bronze French Empire Cassolettes as Custom Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
an exquisite French Empire pair of finely cast patinated and gilt bronze cassolettes now as custom lamps, rectangular plinth bases with ormolu / gilt bronze bas relief portrait profi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Two-Light Candelabra Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a desk or library with this elegant antique three-arm candelabra converted into a table lamp. Created in France, circa 1860, the fixture sits on a triangle base embellished ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very stylish 19th century Empire style 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilt bronze, lit by three curvaceous 'swans head' arms and topped with a green lacquered metal (tole) shade adorne...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Chandelier Vintage Crystal Brass Pendant Lighting With 3 Light Points, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Adorable Crystal Chandelier with Brass Frame, for 3 light points.
Richly Decorated chandelier with decorative elements and pendants made of transparent crystal.
One of the main ad...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Empire Tole & Brass Chandelier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Empirically styled six arm chandelier is just as artful as it is functional. Black tole and patinated brass contrast each other wonderfully. The underside of the bowl features s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Brass, Metal
Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Tent & Basket Chandelier, France, Circa:1910
Located in Alexandria, VA
This armless tent-and-basket chandelier was hand crafted in the Empire style in Paris in the early days of electrified light fixtures. Inside the bronze frame, hidden by the tent of ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italy Post-Modern Sky Blue Porcelain Brass Chandelier 9 Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 9 lights Chandelier in sky-blue color, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in stock un...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Maitland Smith French Empire Figural Phoenix Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental late 20th century Maitland Smith Empire style Bouillote / Budoir lamp. Made from brass with a pierced and paw footed base over an acanthus wrapped column leading to a figural winged Phoenix / Griffon candlestick...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of English Adam Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please note lamp shades NOT included.
Pair of Antique silver plated table lamps. Originally oil lamps converted to electric/plug in.
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
Large Gilded Crystal 18 Light French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Empire style gilded bronze chandelier with 18 lights. This has been newly restored and rewired and is ready to ship. This was retrieved from an estate located in Green...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Empire Brass and Giltwood Lamp
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Single lamp, nice elegant lines. Made in the 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
20th Century Empire Style French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Three stylized horn-formed rolling candlesticks.
(T-Mr-14-Bas).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
antique empire chandelier
Located in Kiel, SH
high decorative antique bronze candelier from the empire.
I guess the chandelier was electrified later .
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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
Pair of French Empire Period Giltwood Eagle Sconces, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of giltwood sconces dates to circa 1815, at the end of the period of French history when Napoleon was the emperor, known as the Empire Style. As Napoleon envisioned himself...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
French Basket Shaped Crystal Chandelier with Accents of Amethyst Color Crystals
Located in Atlanta, GA
This petite French crystal chandelier from the mid 20th century features a lovely basket shape. Reminiscent of the Empire taste, the c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Basket Chandelier Brass Empire Crystal Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our beautifully restored old chandelier from Berlin! This exquisite piece has been professionally refurbished with love, making it suitable for use in the US with its rew...
Category
1970s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Pair of Empire Style Lamps
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Empire style lamps. Cut glass or pressed glass oil reservoirs with flame tops and key detail. 3 portraits adorn the top of the highly ornate bases. Heavy.
Curbside to NYC/P...
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Early French Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Chandelier, 3 Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Empire Style early round Bronze and Crystal Chandelier with 3 Light-sockets in the center.
Wired for the US and takes 3 candelabra light bulbs max. 60 watts.
In original vintage c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Dimensions : 42" Tall X 30" Wide X 30" Deep
This fine quality large chandelier was made in Italy and ve...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Bouillotte Lamps Napoleonic Empire Green Gold Gilded Vintage Table Lamps
By Frederick Cooper, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Stiffel, Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage classic French green and gold gilded bronze Bouillotte style table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Louis XVI, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps.
D...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Bouillotte Lamp Empire Period
Located in BARSAC, FR
Lampe bouillotte en bronze doré finement ciselé à trois bras de lumière figurant des cygnes.
Abat-jour en tôle laqué vert orné de frises dorées.
Bras de lumière et abat-jour réglab...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This chandelier features a bronze crown adorned with an acanthus leaf design at its peak. Its structure is beautifully composed of a series of shimmering crystal beads and baguettes ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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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