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
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
1930's Empire Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Bouillotte Bronze Three Lights Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Empire-style period bouillotte lamp, boasting three bronze lights and an adjustable screen, is complemented by a verdant tole shade in hues of green.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra or Carcel Lamp from the Estate of Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This very nice carcel lamp now converted to electricity comes from the estate and Paul and Bunny Mellon and formed part of the decorations of their home Oa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Tin
Pair of 19th Century Empire Ormolu and patinated Bronze Candelabra attr. Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 19th century Empire ormolu and patinated bronze candelabra attr. Thomire
Each with a tapering leaf tip cast partially gilt and patinated bronze stem supporting three folia...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Gothic French Empire Renaissance Bronze Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic French Empire Bronze Candelabra Renaissance Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features 6 candle arms, fluted columns, flared pedestal base, single light sockets, and tall sta...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire-Era Chandelier, Fully Restored, Made 1800s, in Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Chandelier made out of steel and carved pear tree in the 1800s
Fully restored. No damages.
Rare design.
We guarantee safe a the cheapest air transport from Europe to the whole w...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Steel
Pair of Large and Important Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large and spectacular important antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and white patinated multi light chandeliers of superb quality and detail. These chandelier are ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Italian Empire Vase Applique in Gilded Carved Wood Circa 1780
Located in Milano, MI
Gilded Empire Applique Lamp Late 1700s obtained from a carved wooden palm vase gilded in fine gold, converted into a wall sconce for use as a wall lamp. In the back of this lamp one ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold Leaf
Antique Italian Empire Style Brass Rocaille Dragons on 6-Arm Crystal Chandelier
Located in Encinitas, CA
Elegant Empire style chandelier, opulent yet compact, featuring 6 crystal cups supported by delightful winged dragons on brass rocaille arms. Delicate, faceted glass beads, baubles a...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Light Fixture
Located in Hudson, NY
Designed as a shallow gadrooned bowl with six gilded bronze arms currently not wired and used as a candle fixture but can easily be wired for an additional charge if the customer des...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Table lamp, Koi fish, hand carved and painted wood, mid-1900s.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare early 1900s hand carved and painted table lamp in the shape of koi fish. Sweden, empire-style. A beautiful, decorative interior gem.
Shade not included. Re-wired. Smaller sign...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
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
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Glass
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Cobalt Blue Accents Chandelier, C 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 5 lights in beaded cups. This elegant chandelier is completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare cobalt blue crystal prisms and cobalt blue beads...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Very Impressive Gilt Bronze Mounted Glass Alabaster Shades Ten Light Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Enhance the grandeur of your space with this Palatial Italian Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier, a masterpiece of opulence and design. This chandelier is not just a lighting ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Black Opaline Table Lamp On A Ormolu Gilt Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Black opaline and ormolu gilt base table lamp, France, 19th Century.
Converted oil lamp.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
New Art Deco Crystal Style Chandelier: Custom Empire Elegance
Introducing our latest addition, the Art Deco crystal style chandelier, a captivating fusion of Empire opulence and the...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Marbro *Original* Italian Porcelain Table Lamp! Only 1. Cobalt Blue 1960s Empire
Located in Peoria, AZ
***MARBRO ORIGINAL**
GILDED EMPIRE STYLE
PORCELAIN LAMP!
The Only One in The World!
CIRCA 1960
Incredible Midnight Color!
A Cobalt Blue so Deep its almost Black!
DI...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Gold
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
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
Pair Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Sac a Pearl Lustre Ceiling Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing two exquisite basket chandeliers, available as a pair! Both have been lovingly and professionally restored in Berlin, with electrical wiring compatible with the US. They ...
Category
1840s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
19th C, Style Empire Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite Wall Sconce
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th C style empire black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite wall sconce
Priced Each.
Additional information:
Materials: bronze
Color: Black
Period: 2010s
Styles: Empire, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Metal
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
Period French Empire Crystal and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19th century period French Empire chandelier in crystal and gilded bronze. The typical basket form surrounds a central shaft, the top of which is decorated with gilded palmettes and terminates in four curved supports to the central corona. The gilded corona...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
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
Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column Six Light Chandelier
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian column six light chandelier
Priced each
Additional information:
Materials: Lights
Color: Black
Pe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Urn and Rams Head White & Gold Porcelain Table Lamp Empire Style, German, Large
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous large white and gold porcelain table lamp in urn form with detailed ram's head design, in the Empire style, attributed to Furstenberg Porcelain, Germany, circa 20th centur...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold
Pair of Antique Bristol Glass Hand-painted Napolean and Josephine Table Lamps
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French hand-blown milk glass table lamps with the figures of Napoleon and Josephine hand-painted on them. From France, circa 1920.
Newly wired in the United States, mounted o...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass
French Empire Gilded Bronze Crystal 12-Arm Chandelier Light Fixture
Located in Toledo, OH
A gorgeous large scale French Empire crystal chandelier. The body of this chandelier is done in gilded bronze and has two layers of ar...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Tole Table Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A unique pair of 19th century French tole oil lamps from the end of the Empire period, decorated in yellow painted finish with transferred lithograph scenes of country life, electrif...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Tin
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
Art Deco 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...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Milk Glass Lamps with Hand Painted Gilding
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of lamps, in Empire style, of milk glass, each columnar form handpainted with gilt festooning, on round brass base.
Stock ID: D7199
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Milk Glass
French Gilt Bronze Chandelier with Eagle Heads and Arrows, 1930s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A large French empire style six-light gilt and patinated bronze chandelier with eagle heads and arrows, circa 1930s.
Socket: 6 x E14 for standard screw bulb.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Chandelier, Russia, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large eight-flame chandelier of the Russian Empire with cobalt blue glass and fire-gilded arms with cockerel decoration and hanging pine cone. The supporting hoop is connected by fou...
Category
1810s Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Glass
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Early Blue Hand Painted Toleware Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Sheet Metal
Late 20th C. Empire Style Black and Silver Fluted Column Floor Lamp with Shade
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20thc., an elegant floor lamp that features a classic design with a black fluted column base and silver accents. The pyramid-shaped base is intricately detailed with stepped lay...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
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
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
2 brass and glass Peacock wall-sconces in Hollywood regency sytyle
By OTHR
Located in Zemst, BE
2 wall sconces in brass and glass
Peacock form
Wonderful condition.
Original wiring, that's still ok: ready for use.
Place of origin: Spain
No manufacturer known
Period: mid 1970...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Massive Patinated and Gilt Bronze 5-Light Sconces, Wall Appliques
Located in Germantown, MD
A Massive Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Five-Light Wall Appliques or Sconces, 20th Century, in the style of E.F. Caldwell. This pair is large and features a patinated putti form ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Large Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of circa 1900 French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces showcases the mythological figure Acantha, a nymph beloved by the god Apollo. According to legend, Apollo transformed ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Genovese Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
An Italian crystal chandelier in Empire style made with a guilded structure adorned with swags of crystals that glitter beautifully when lit up. This particular chandelier is free fr...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
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
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu And Baccarat Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and very high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Baccarat crystal chandelier. The twelve arm sixteen light chandelier is centered by a striking solid cryst...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
1930s French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier w/ Drapery Swag Attrib Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Spectacular 1930's French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier. Bronze drapery swag detail. With Neoclassical elements. Attributed to Maison Bagues.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
20th C Restored Empire 5 Arm Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century crystal French Empire basket chandelier. Brass finish and the candelabra body. Cleaned and restored. Takes 17 standa...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
c1910 French Empire Gilt Metal Framed Cut Cascading Crystal Form Basket Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1910 Pair of French Empire style Gilt Metal Wall Sconces. In the cascading crystal to form tent bottom - that is this style. Bronzse framed Rair pair.
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
1930’s French Empire Style Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930’s French empire style sconces with swan atop and on arms
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine 19th Century French Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in Charleston, SC
Incredible 19th century French empire bronze chandelier, now electrified. 10 patinated arms separated by gilt decorated bronze terminating into leaves.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
This lamp, circa 1920, is styled in the French Empire fashion, which draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman designs and was popularized during the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte....
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
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
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.