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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
Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century. The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Oak

Empire Style Metal Opaline Noire Glass Electrical Converted Oil Lamp
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style tall large oil lamp that was converted to an electrical one. It consists of a cylindrical long chimney lamp clear shade attached to a brass burner holder; this in turn is connected to a semilunar shaped milk glass font joined to a faceted opaline noire glass conical shaped body. A gold metal band are between both glass parts. There are two long gilt metal scroll formed handles adorned with a relief of acanthus leaves at the upper and bottom part in each side of the conical body. Also, there are a relief of flowers and branches of leaves in the center of it. This conical body is supported by a patinated heavy metal pedestal embellished by acanthus leaves, gilt metal ornaments...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Opaline Glass

Italian Florentine Hall Glass Chandelier by Banci Gilt and Green Wrought Iron
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Banci Firenze wrought iron verdigris painted lantern with glass bowl 1980s. Elegant three-light vintage bell jar lantern with a verdigris scav...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Iron

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

Pair Charles X Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair Charles X Ormolu candlestick lamps. Fine pair finely chased gilt metal candlesticks with grey painted candle sleeves above anthemion capitals with ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Oil Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze & patinated bronze oil lamp.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Table Lamp of Bronze and Flame Shaped Frosted Glass
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful Empire-style table lamp on a bronze plinth with a central pine cone rises on three legs with paw feet topped by three bronze sphinx torsos, supporting the dark green t...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Figural French Empire Style Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of figural French Empire style table lamps. Rouched black shades are trimmed with a rope twist detail and gold gimp. Columns are topped with cast brass acanthus plumes above large cut glass crystals. Opposing cast cherubs...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Italian 1950s Empire Silvered Swooping Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful Empire style Italian chandelier in the style of Buccellati. Rewired. 12 Light sources. Candelabra sockets. Rewired. 23” is the body. The chain can be adjusted to your nee...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Silver, Bronze, Enamel

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 ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Historicizing Brass Three-Armed Chandelier, Turn of the 19th and 20th Century
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Brass three-armed chandelier in a historicizing style from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. It was made in the territory of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The chandelier i...
Category

20th Century Austrian Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Empire Gilt Bronze Oil Lamp Candle Sticks, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair French Empire brass oil lamp candle sticks. Hand blow glass reservoir, brass candlestick style base with bands of stippled and foliate decoration. Original patina. Very rare to ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Fine Quality Pair of Early Empire Ormolu Mounted Cut Crystal Lamps
Located in New York, NY
The fine diamond cut crystal column-form table lamps supported by gilt bronze paw feet. Date: Early 19th century Origin: French Dimension: 36 in x 10 in.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

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 Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Metal

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 Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The three arm chandelier is centered by a beautiful richly chased bottom acorn fini...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French Empire Brass Candelabra Lamps, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of very fine quality 19th century brass candelabras, now converted to table lamps. Professionally re-wired. These have their ori...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Russian 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most impressive Russian 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu eighteen light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine inverted bottom finial w...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Empire Period Bronze Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant French Empire bronze and marble table lamp, circa 1820 in date. The candlestick later converted into a lamp features an ancanthus capital, a fluted tapering column on c...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Ceramic Table Lamps by Tyndale, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style ceramic table lamps by Tyndale. Sleek baluster shaped columns are topped with brass capitals cast with scrolled acanthus leaves. Columns are decorated w...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Empire Candelabra, ca 1820
Located in Stockholm, SE
These pair of candelabra are very unusual with the cut crystal bases. Glass was one of the most expensive materials in these times and therefore exc...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Monumental Empire Style Crystal and Bronze Sconces, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of gilt bronze and crystal 1930s or older, waterfall sconces in empire style. Each fixture requires three European E14 candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall light...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Metal

Empire Style Bronze Chandelier
Located in Essex, MA
Ten arms with suspended chains. Electrified. Heavy gauge bronze. Possibly Caldwell. From a Sutton Place NY townhouse.
Category

1810s European Antique Empire Lighting

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 Lighting

Materials

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...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Empire Ceiling Chandelier in antique Classicist Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Swedish Empire ceiling crown in the style of classicism Polished brass and facetted prismatic trimmings. Starting from narrow, ornamented brass hoops, eight curved candlesticks for cylindrical spouts above a round gutter bowl. Baluster-shaped body made of hand-wired pearl strings...
Category

20th Century German Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

20th Century Empire Style Bronze Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and silvered bronze. Full plasticised, masculine historical Egyptian representation. (T-Mr-20-Bas).
Category

20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Antique Empire Painted Globe Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
An antique Empire style brass lamp with a hand painted glass globe. A slender central column topped with an urn finial has two sockets that light with brass chain pulls. A blush and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of French 19th Century Empire Style Porcelain and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning true pair of French 19th century Empire st. porcelain and ormolu lamps. Each elegant lamp is raised by a fine circular or...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Pair Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Classical Empire gilt and patinated bronze lamps depicting beautiful maidens in flowing Grecian garb, balancing fine gilt bronze candle holders on their heads and standing on dark gr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Slate, Bronze

French Empire Ormolu and Crystal 7-Arm Chandelier, 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Empire chandelier has a bronze Doré Corona above oval shaped crystal chains descending to Doré mounted circular dark green painted bronze band with seven candelabra...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of French 1st Empire Dore Bronze Mtd. 5-Arm Mirrored Sconces, Att. Thomire
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of French 1st Empire Period Dore bronze mounted five-arm sconces/mirrors, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Each mirrored sconce is of octagonal form with a b...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of E 20th C Empire Gilt Bronze Large Sconces, Removed from Paris Theatre
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French gilt bronze large Empire style three light sconces. Removed from a Paris theatre in the 1920's.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

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 Lighting

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 Lighting

Materials

Giltwood

French Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish French Empire chandelier dates to the early part of the 19th century and is fabricated in bronze dore and patinated bronze. Note: The piece has been professionally re...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair French 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Urn Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style patinated-bronze and gilt-bronze mounted allegorical covered urn vases lamps in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (Fr...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Italy 1970 Post-Modern Meant Green Porcelain Brass Table Lamp
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous table lamp in light green porcelain and brass, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian fa...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

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 Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Bronze French Empire Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic 19th century French Empire bronze chandelier was acquired in Pairs and is the perfect size for a powder room, entry vestibule or dressing closet...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Sèvres Style Bronze-Mounted Cobalt Blue Hand Painted Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A large French Sèvres style gilt bronze ormolu-mounted cobalt blue hand painted porcelain urn table lamp, first half of the 20th century. Bronze figurine handles, front side with han...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Granite Five-Arm Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite true pair of French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and granite five arm lamps, after a model by Claude Galle. Each lamp is raised by a squar...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Granite, 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 Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Robert Abbey Templeton Bronze Trophy Urn Table Lamp Empire Shade Light 7102G
Located in Dayton, OH
Templeton 7102G urn table lamp, way buddha bronze with golden beige cast metal empire shade with matching soutache - Robert Abbey Measures: 10.5” x 24...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze Bouillotte lamp with 3 arms with dark green tole shade.
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

48 Lights Chandelier in 24kt Gold Finish with Scholler Crystal Pendants
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Italian bespoke chandelier designed and produced by Modenese Luxury Interiors for contract projects and divine interiors. Its 24kt gold leaf finishe...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Gold Leaf, Gold, Bronze

Swedish Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Basket Chandelier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Swedish Empire style gilt-bronze and cut-crystal tent and basket chandelier. Swedish, Circa 1825.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Empire Period Egyptian Style Porcelain Candelabra
Located in London, GB
French Empire period Egyptian style porcelain candelabra French, c. 1815 Height 81cm, width 27cm, depth 27cm These extremely fine candelabra date from the early 19th Century, during the period of Napoleonic dominance in Europe. It was during this period that interest in the ancient civilisation of Egypt started to become fashionable, in large part due to Napoleon's conquest of the region at the turn of the 19th Century. Each candelabrum is modelled as a standing cross...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire Style Bronze and Ormolu Seven-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu seven light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine ormolu acorn inverted finial below a richly chased base with most decorative foliate patterns in a striking satin and burnished finish. Each of the six scrolled ormolu arms display fine foliate chasing and candle cups, with rich foliate reserves at the rim. Three ormolu supports...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of 19 Century French Empire Crystal Candlesticks
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of French candelabrum with crystal stems, sitting on marble.   
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

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 Lighting

Materials

Metal

12-Light Chandelier circa 1820-1830, Empire France Bronce
Located in Epfach, DE
12-light chandelier Empire, France Large Empire chandelier ormolu and patinated bronze Pattern inspired by antique Roman lamps the electrifi...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a captivating blend of Art Deco charm and Empire sophistication, our lead crystal chandelier is a testament to opulence and craftsmanship. Crafted in-house, we offer the flexibility of both smaller and larger sizes, ensuring the perfect fit for your space. Our team can even facilitate on-site installation, ensuring a seamless experience for you. Key Features: - Measures: Diameter 100 cm, Height 150 cm - Accommodates 34 x E14 bulbs This chandelier is an embodiment of refined style, fusing the allure of Art Deco aesthetics with the grandeur of Empire design. Crafted from premium lead crystal, it radiates luxury and timeless beauty. Its measurements, with a diameter of 100 cm and a height of 150 cm, ensure a commanding presence that captures attention and admiration. With 34 E14 bulb sockets, it bathes your surroundings in a luminous glow, creating an ambiance that's both inviting and sophisticated. Whether for an intimate setting or a grand hall, this chandelier offers a touch of regal elegance that complements various spaces. Its exquisite construction and lead crystal elements evoke a sense of luxury and refinement. With a commitment to exceptional quality, we offer various sizing options to suit your needs. Our experienced team can even facilitate on-site installation, ensuring the chandelier becomes an integral part of your space seamlessly. Experience the allure of the Art Deco era with this crystal chandelier that exudes timeless beauty and sophistication. Its Empire sac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Wire

Swedish Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Basket Chandelier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Swedish Empire style gilt-bronze and cut-crystal tent and basket chandelier. Swedish, Circa 1825.  
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

One Empire Style Silvered and Black Engraved Metal Table Lamp, France, 1930s
Located in IT
Empire style silvered and black engraved metal table lamp, France, early 20th century, 1930s In the pictures you see two lamps but only one le...
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal

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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