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.
Four Italian Empire Vases 1700 Gilded and Carved Wood Lamp Bases
Located in Milano, MI
Gilded Empire Lamp Bases 1700 Set of Four Palm Vases with square base and circular turned and carved body made of pine wood, water-gilded in fine gold leaf on red bole preparation. T...
Gold Leaf
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality lamp base features a gilt classical frieze, and a patinated bronze figure of a classical maiden.
Marble, Bronze
1900's French Empire Arrow Gold and Black Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's French Empire style double light arrow sconces
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire style sconces with one light. Price per pair
Bronze
$2,800 / set
1930's French Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1930 French Empire style sconces
Bronze
French Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style bouillotte table lamp with decorative three-light cast brass candleholders and adjustable height red tôle shade. New candle covers. Wired and in working order. ...
Brass, Tôle
Antique French Empire Bronze Green Candlestick Column Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Wreath Ormolu Dark Green Bouillotte Table Lamp with Dark Green Paper Shade (Not metal). Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 22.5" H (to finial). Base...
Metal, Bronze
$2,961 / set
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s A striking and substantial pair of French Empire table lamps in bronze, dating from the 1820s and originally conceived as large Empir...
Bronze
Corinthian Column Marble Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style Corinthian column table lamp in marble. A decorative carved spiral, twists around the marble column, which is topped and tailed with a brass capital...
Marble, Brass
Pair Italian Heavy Brass Empire Style Candle Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of heavy, un-wired single arm sconces from Florence, Italy. Features a sunburst back plate with concave bowl and eagle-head motif. Masterful casting with wonderful detail. Candle cup measures...
Brass
Black Lacquered Wood Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
Black lacquered wood empire style table lamp stencil with gilded motifs
Wood
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 ...
Spelter
$10,536Sale Price|25% Off
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Color Pewter and Frosted Glass Table Lamp
Located in Barntrup, DE
A beautifully shaped French Empire-style table lamp, which is an electrified petroleum lamp, features a bronze-colored pewter body adorned with three el...
Brass, Pewter
$4,672Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Figural Swan Chandelier in Bronze, Six Lights, 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs. Rare French Empire style bronze tole chandelier...
Bronze
French Empire Silver Plate Bouillotte Table Lamp with Tole Shade
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) silver plate 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green tole shade.
Silver Plate, Tôle
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 ...
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...
Steel
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces Circa 1830 Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Bronze
Exquisite Pair Of French Empire Black & Dore Bronze 5 Light Electrified Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely crafted with center doré palm form supports for the black scrolled and horn form arms with dore tops and separate bobeches. Dore leafy mounts for the arms with a black scrolle...
Bronze, Other
Empire-style Chandelier In Gilded Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful Empire-style chandelier with six light arms in gilded bronze with a green patina. High-quality French craftsmanship from the mid-20th century Beautiful gilding, finely chis...
Bronze
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...
Bronze
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...
Marble, Bronze
Monumental Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Austrian crystal chandelier with a solid bronze frame and faceted crystal, circa 1930s or older. This chandelier is perfect for large spaces, entryways, and hallways. A unique waterf...
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
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...
Brass
Grand Prospect Hall Empire Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Empire style chandelier was repurposed from a larger light in the main ballroom in Brooklyn, New York's Grand Prospect Hall. Grand Prospect Hall was built in 1892 and has witnes...
Crystal, Brass
1900 French Empire Gilt Bronze Two Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire gilt bronze two-light sconces, 19th century, with a flame atop and empire faces design
Bronze
19th Century French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Crystal Eleven Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique French 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut crystal eleven light chandelier 19th Century Height: 34 inches Diameter: 22.5 inches Superbly detailed gilded bronze...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair French Empire Style Figural Bronze & Marble Table Lamps, circa early 1900s
Located in Perkasie, PA
An elegant and highly decorative pair of French Empire style figural table lamps, dating to approximately 1900–1910, combining classical bronze figures, richly veined marble bases, a...
Marble, Bronze
French Silver-Plated Bronze Three-Light Bouillotte Lamp attributed to Christofle
By Christofle
Located in leucate, FR
This exquisite three-light Bouillotte lamp is a quintessential example of French Neoclassical design, combining the rigorous elegance of the Empire style with the world-renowned craf...
Metal, Silver Plate, Bronze
Empire Table Lamps Egyptian revival Bois Dore Bouilotte lamps Napoleonic pair
By Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen, Versace Home Collection, Henredon
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Tall Figural Empire Table Lamps. Depicting a Winged Sphinx made of giltwood on a marble base. Between the wings arise a 4 armed gilt bronze candelabra with above 2 light bulbs. Matching lampshades with gold trim and interior. Style, Vintage, Hollywood Regency, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Mid Century Modern, Design: Traditional Gold Gilded Napoleonic table...
Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
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
Milk Glass
Late 19th Century French Empire chandelier
Located in New York, NY
late 19th Century French Empire chandelier with swam head's. Original finish and patina.
Bronze
Antique Empire Bronze Column Table Lamp, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th century Empire brass column table lamp Additional information: Materials: Brass Color: Gold Period: early 19th century Styles: Empire Lamp Shade: Not Included ...
Brass
Italian Completely Beaded Basket Crystal Prisms Silver Chandelier, c 1940
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing four lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning crystal prisms on top and in bottom. This chandelier has two width...
Crystal
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Caryatid Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and dore trim 8 scroll arm chandelier with 4 caryatid females.
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...
Crystal, Bronze, Metal
Pair Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps with adjustable height harpers. Measures: 9.5" in width, 6" ...
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Pair of Monumental Empire Crystal Chandeliers, Germany, circa 1800
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Germany / Munich, circa 1800 An impressive pair of monumental Empire chandeliers, crafted in Germany around 1800. Richly adorned with cascading cut glass prisms and elegantly execut...
Metal
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, ...
Bronze, Metal
$3,180Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pair of French Antique Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces in the Empire Taste
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair of 19th Century French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze "Lions Head" Regal Wall Sconces. Very highly detailed and ultra high quality. French Estate.
Bronze
Restored Waldorf Astoria Empire Crystal 3 Tier Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Original Empire style chandelier made of an ornate bronze, brushed steel frame, beaded and teardrop crystals. Hung from a heavy brass chain. Three tiers of lights with frosted glass ...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
$7,911Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Crystal
French Empire Chandelier, Gilt Bronze & Crystal, Late 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (late 19th Century) gilt bronze chandelier with a cut crystal bowl supporting a ring of 8 scroll arms suspended by 3 chains to a canopy with a flame final bottom.
Crystal, Ormolu
Empire Style Steel and Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A handsome empire-style steel and bronze floor lamp with a custom navy blue enamel shade. Possibly by J.E. Caldwell. Newly rewired.
Steel, Bronze
Italian Empire White Murano Opaline Beads Drops Beaded Tole Chandelier, c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
One of a kind! Housing 6 lights, sitting in crystal bobéches, dripping with white opaline beads and vintage crystal prisms. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA...
Murano Glass
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. Richly decorated with period Empire decorations. Newly rewired electricity. Wear c...
Bronze
19thc French Empire Gilt & Patinated Bronze Table Lamp / Candelabra
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire Gilt & Patinated Bronze Tall Table Lamp/ Candelabra Featuring Medusa. Originally for 5 candles now a stunning Table Lamp electrified for 2 bulbs. Intricate Neocla...
Bronze
French Oil Opaline and Brass Table Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Converted French oil white opaline and brass table lamp.
Brass
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Candlestick Column Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Austrian Patinated Bronze Candlestick Column Bouillotte Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light socket) x 5" W...
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...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
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 ...
Gold Leaf
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...
Brass
Italian Empire Blue Glass Beads Crystal Prisms Tole Chandelier, c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Metal body with swags of rare blue glass...
Crystal
$3,600 / set
Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Pair Baccarat style ormolu mounted cut glass lamps, Mid 20th c., of tapering columnar form, with gilt metal fittings on square plinth, unmarked, each approx. 31"h x 4.25"squ
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Chandelier with Bronze Ebonized Bowl
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (19th Century) chandelier with a bronze ebonized patina bowl with gilt trim and 12 scroll uplight arms trimmed with a finial bottom and supported with 3 chains connecte...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
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 ...
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Regency Dore Bronze Neoclassical Candlestick Pair Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze neoclassical candlestick pair of lamp, rewired and ready to enjoy.
Bronze
Schonbek 6 Light 5692 Crystal Milano Chandelier 31 X 27
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Schonbek 6 Light 5692 Crystal Milano Chandelier 31 X 27 Dimensions : 31" Tall X 27" Wide X 27" Deep This chandelier was made by Schonbek and is their 5692-87F Milano chandelier. Th...
Crystal, Metal