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
Pair of Empire style wall lamps, possibly gilded bronze
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of Empire-style wall lamps, probably gilded bronze.
Good condition.
Thank you.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$804 Sale Price / set
51% Off
Pair of Superb Antique Italian Neoclassical Empire Bronze Figural Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A pair of superb antique Italian empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural candelabra lamps with royal markings, 19th century. Measure: Overall height 38.50”.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Giltwood Candlesticks or Prickets
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of giltwood French Empire period prickets or candlesticks was originally used on the altar of a church. They were hand-carved and exquisitely gilded on only one side as a m...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Cut Crystal Glass Urn & Brushed Brass Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
High Quality Contemporary French Empire Style Cut Crystal Glass Urn & Brushed Brass Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 24" H...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire-Style Bronze Table Lamps, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire-Style Bronze Table Lamps, France, Early 19th Century
Elegant pair of French bronze table lamps, originally fine Empire candlesticks from circa 1820, later converted t...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Vintage Lamps in Empire Style with Crystals, Italy, 1970s
Located in Cantù, IT
Fine pair of Empire-style table lamps, dating from the mid-20th century. Unique decorative objects, full of charm and perfect for classic or eclectic settings.
Details and materials...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Tole Jardiniere Lamp
Located in New York, NY
French tole jardiniere lamp. Empire gilt painted brown tole jardiniere with paw feet on raised green faux marble platform, now converted to a l...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Tôle
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
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twenty lights and features high quality handcrafted details.
Top crowns in characterized...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
A Unique Large Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A unique, large antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze chandelier.
The chandelier is composed entirely of gilt bronze and is suspended from a circular ceiling canopy with ap...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fabulous French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze 9-Light Glass Torch Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Spectacular large neoclassical French Empire chococate brown patinated and gilt bronze 9-light chandelier with faux candle sockets
Measures:
Diameter 27.6 in/ 70 cm
Height 35.5 in/ ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Swan Goose Motif Arms, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice Sconces. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabras bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic stat...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900's French Empire Style Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900' s French Empire style small sconces with two lights
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,400 / set
Empire Revival Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pendant Chandelier, circa 1910
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Revival gilt-bronze and cut-glass pendant chandelier.
French, circa 1910.
Of globular form this fine chandelier has a central gilt-bronze band cast with vases issuin...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Sevres Pink Ground Porcelain Lamps, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Sevres Pink Ground Gilt Metal Mounted Porcelain Lamps, late 19th century, each of ovoid form, with scrolled eagle head handles, the bodies painted with panels of cupid at pla...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
$850 / set
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$21,295 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Pair of Tall Bronze Sconces with Quiver, Arrow and Eagleheads. Circa 1920
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of tall wall sconces is made of bronze. The wall lights are decorated with a quiver, an arrow and eagleheads. This is a French work in the Empire style. Circa 1920
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,845 Sale Price
20% Off
1930 5 Arm Crystal Glass Chandelier
Located in Surrey, BC
A nice simple chandelier with impressive 5 arm configuration and swooping glass crystal details .
This piece was acquired from a private collection...
Category
1930s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Italian Empire Wall Sconces, circa 1950
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Gilded empire style wall sconces in the shape of ribbons cast in solid bronze with inlaid hand painted porcelain decor. Produced in the 1950s. Comes with lime green lamp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$414 / item
Empire Style Brass and Painted Brass Light Fixture, American Mid 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very stylish Empire / Hollywood Regency style brass light fixture. All brass with satin black painted detail. Excellent high quality fixture, completely reconditioned and re-wired ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Italian Empire White Murano Opaline Beads Blue Beaded Tole Chandelier, c 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights, sitting in white opaline bobéches. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang at ou...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940’s French empire style alabaster chandelier with bronze interior arms, 12 lights + 6 interiors.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Venetian Glass Lantern Hand Blown
By Balboa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking 1970s Italian Murano glass pendant featuring a richly textured amber glass shade enclosed in a sculptural brass frame. The organic, handblown form displays a mesmerizing p...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Tole Metal Urn Bouillotte Table Lamp w Shade
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Hand Painted Tole Metal Urn Form Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp with Shade. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 11" H (t...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
20th Century Black French Pair of Large Marble, Gilded Bronze Table Lights
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, vintage French pair of large table lamps made of hand crafted marble with a new round shade, in good condition. They are composed with its original switch, particularized by...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Metal, 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
Frederick Cooper French Empire Brass Patina Trumpet Candelabra Table Lamp Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Frederick Cooper French Empire Style Lacquered Patinated Brass Trumpet Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 28" H (to l...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
21st Century Baroque Brass Empire Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Baroque Empire brass chandelier, an exquisite piece with fascinating embellishments reminiscent of the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new reproduct...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair French Empire Period Cast Brass 2-Light Candelabrum, electrified, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
formerly oil lamps and retaining their pump primers atop the bases, having precisely cast urn-form bases issuing two arms with sockets and wax candlecovers
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair Neoclassical 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
$5,000 / set
Bronze Empire Style Ram's Head Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Six-arm Empire style ram's head chandelier. Solid brass and cast bronze and heavy. Has great patina. In working condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$971 Sale Price
35% Off
Lampadario Impero Italiano Dorato con Putti Seconda Metà XX Secolo
Located in Milano, MI
Lampadario Italiano in Stile Impero con Putti alati realizzato in bronzo dorato con fusioni ben cesellate e con una doratura di qualità. Il lampadarario è italiano ed è databile into...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp
Amazing old bronze patina
The lamp has been re-wired.
Shade included
The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade
Free UK shipping
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Spelter
$595 Sale Price
30% Off
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 Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Low Flushmount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing the New Montgolfière Style Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Empire Elegance
Experience the epitome of opulence and craftsmanship with our exquisite Montgolfière style chande...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Wire
$7,476 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly rewire...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Brass and Crystal Sconces in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Chicago, IL
These Empire-style sconces showcase a signature element of Maison Jansen lighting: pierced brass encrusted with beaded crystals. This intricate combination of brass and encrusted crystal beads creates a stunning visual effect resembling a glistening, flowing fountain of light.
This meticulous craftsmanship embodies the elegance and sophisticated artistry for which Maison Jansen is famous. Maison Jansen of Paris, a renowned interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Swedish Empire Cut Crystal and Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
With a five outscrolled electrified candlearms issuing from a bronze ring hung with crystal beaded swags and drop pendants, hung from four chains suspended from a disc issuing arched cut glass pendants; with canopy...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gorgeous pair of table lamps in classic versailles red 20th century style.
Located in Cantù, IT
Splendid pair of table lamps in classic versailles red 20th century style.
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Beautiful Czechoslovakian Crystal Beaded Empire Dome Chandelier circa 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light, will be rewired and ready to hang. We use certified UL US sockets and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Strands and strands of crystal beads from tiny t...
Category
Early 1900s Czech Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
French Oil Opaline and Brass Table Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Converted French oil white opaline and brass table lamp.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style table lamps made by Stiffel. Brass columns are turned with large ceramic fonts in white trimmed in gold. Bases are decorated with dentils on a square ba...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Flower Basket Motif, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice sconces. Each fixture requires a European E14 candelabra bulb, bulb up to 40 watts. Each wall light has a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement. Mad...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$544 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Mid-20th Century French Tole Shaded Cast Iron & Brass Table Lamp
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century French tole shaded cast iron & brass table lamp. Empire taste with tri-form base, acanthus leaf with ball & claw & further acanthus motifs. Some minor shade wear.
23...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair Palatial Bronze and Steel French Empire Style Torchieres Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of palatial vintage torchiere floor lamps in the French empire style, finely crafted from gilt and patinated bronze and steel. Each with a circular shallow dish-form basin fitt...
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Steel
19th Century French Antique Empire Crystal Glass Chandelier, Parisian Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French chandelier, pendant made of hand crafted polished brass, in good condition. The hand blown cut crystal prisms are attached, halted to the ceiling lamp brass f...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great quality 19th century gilt bronze lamp with finely chased neoclassical detailing. Tripod base supports a tapered shaft with decorative mounts, surmounted by a 'petal' form top...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire-Style Bronze Column Table Lamp with Gilt Detailing, Circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire-style table lamp began its life circa 1840 as a finely cast bronze column, likely part of a decorative candlestick, architectural mount, or garniture element. Now ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19thc French Empire Green Art Glass Lantern Intricately Patterned
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire Intricately Patterned Green Art Glass Lantern with Bronze Element. Lovely antique lantern which will arrive newly electrified and with 15 inches of chain and ceil...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Art Glass
$976 Sale Price
20% Off
Maison Jansen Attr. Empire Style Marble Lamps, Pr.
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Austrian Brass Mounted Columnar Black Marble Lamps, each with tole peinte shade and stepped marble base mounted on faux marble wood base, struck "Austria" to finials. Overall...
Category
20th Century Austrian Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21" H (to finial) x 15" H (to light socket) x 10" W x 10" D. {3-...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Regency Empire Crystal and Bronze Twelve-Light Wedding Cake Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Stunning large French Empire cut crystal and bronze twelve-light chandelier with crystal drops and swags
Measures:
Diameter 26 in/ 66 cm
Height 40 in / 100 cm
Weight 34 lb/16 Kg
Twel...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, 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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,380 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Gilded French table lamp with putti.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative French gilt bronze table lamp in Empire style.
The lamp features a baluster-shaped stem with a simple transition to the socket, and is finished below with three standing ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Gilt Bronze & Cut Crystal Ten Arm Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This antique French Empire neoclassical chandelier is crafted from gilt bronze and cut crystal, featuring a circular frame adorne...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage Corton Clarinet Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Corton clarinet made in Czechoslovakia (found in France), upcycled into a fabulous table lamp mounted on a beautiful onyx base with a vintage black silk shade. The clarinet shows signs of being a much loved and used musical instrument...
Category
20th Century Czech Empire Lighting
Materials
Onyx, Metal
Pair of Austria Blown Glass & Bronze Hanging Bell Jar Hall Lanterns R. Wien 1850
By Wien
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare pair of Austria blown glass and bronze hanging bell jar hall lanterns, Signed R. Ditmar Wien, Austria. Mid 19th Century
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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 Philippine Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$1,050 Sale Price
30% Off
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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