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
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...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
19th Century French Empire Green Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th Century French empire style double lights sconces, green patinated bronze.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Large Pair of Empire Style Candlesticks Converted to Table Lamps
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous pair of 19th Century Empire Style finely cast brass candlesticks of grand proportions, fully restored and converted to table lamps with beautiful patination and of excepti...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire Style (1880) gilt bronze 5-light chandelier in neo-classic form with sphinx figures, ancient urns, medallion heads and multi-patterned reserves.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Antique French Empire Nickel Silver Glass Corinthian Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Nickel Silver Etched Glass Corinthian Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H (to finial) x 21" H (to light socket) x 5.5" W ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconce
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A precious gilt bronze two-light wall sconce in the Empire style, France, 1920-1929. Finely elaborate with hand chiseled details. Typical design of French Empire period due to its rich ornamentation with faces and acanthus leaf motifs. The bottom is characterized by a man head supporting a pedestal with the lamp-arms. Two scroll light...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
$8,081 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Laudarte Grifone Empire Style Wall Lights, Ancient Gold 24k
By Laudarte Srl
Located in Southall, GB
Grifone is an Italian Classic wall sconce made with two lights, designed by Giovanni Maria Ma in the empire style, bronze with ancient gold 24k finish, marble and malachite inserts. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Malachite, Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
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
$2,900 Sale Price
34% Off
Late 19th Century French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French Empire gilt bronze small sconces. Unusual design with woman holding balls
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,400 / set
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 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
1920's French Empire Black Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1920's empire style sconces with Blackmoore putti.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
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
Impressive Empire-style table lamp with classic versailles lampshade, XX
Located in Cantù, IT
Impressive Empire-style table lamp with classic versailles lampshade, XX
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style "Cupid" Bronze Lamp
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style "Cupid" Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabrum Mounted as a Table Lamp, late 19th century, the figure of Cupid holding a feather and upholding a twin branch light,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique 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
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
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks.
With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns.
The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Impressive Large French Empire Patinated & Gilt Bronze 8 Etched Globe Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Spectacular neoclassical French Empire gilt bronze 8-light chandelier, oxidized an gold-plated solid bronze
8-light bulbs E 14/good working condition
Measures:
Diameter 27.6 in/ 70 c...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Black French Pair of Large Marble, Gilded Bronze Table Lamps
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, Bronze
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
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps with Paw Feet and Lion Heads - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 17.5" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Fine Bronze and Crystal Period Empire Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite Empire chandelier, having a frame of finely chased gilt bronze, basket shape, draped in beaded crystals; floral swags connect the four external candlearms, four additional ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
T...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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
Large 19th century French empire bronze ormolu table lamp
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Tall 19th century French empire bronze ormolu lamp, circa 1860.
Here we have a lamp of the finest quality, previously would have been a gas lamp but converted to electricity in the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very nice cut crystal table lamps with bronze fittings, French Empire style. newly UL rewired
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$6,800 / set
20th Century Italian Empire Style Crystal and Black Iron Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
Italian crystal chandelier with Empire style drop-shaped iron structure, eight curved arms ending with eight crystal bobeches. The upper part of the iron structure is originally deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Vintage French Empire Green Tole Metal Gold Swan Painted Urn Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Green Tole Metal Gold Swan Painted Urn Form Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 32" H (to finial) x 26" H (to light socket) x 7.5" W ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
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
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
$9,037 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads.
Each sconce ha...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Important French Empire chandelier, dating to the 19th century, features a gilt bronze frame adorned with neoclassical motifs. The ormolu structure includes finely cast wreaths ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Carved Italian Giltwood Three-Arm Sconce by Randy Esada Designs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Carved Italian giltwood three-arm sconce by Randy Esada Designs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Empire Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
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
Wonderful French Neoclassical Large Empire Bronze Crystal Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French neoclassical large Empire bronze and crystal adorning glass bell jar lantern fixture with 6 candelabra lights.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Gilt Brass and White Marble Lamps, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Four Light Gilt Brass and White Marble Lamps, circa 1900, having four scroll arms with chicken portrait motif above marble and gilt brass Corinthian column mounted on ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage French Empire Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
By Sedgefield
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sedgefield by Adams French Empire Style Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to finial) x 14" H (to light so...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Frederick Cooper hand painted porcelain table lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Frederick Cooper hand painted porcelain table lamp. This Frederick Cooper lamp is handpainted in the Empire style with tones of dark cobalt blue, gold and green. Th...
Category
1990s American Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Candelabra Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique 19th Century French Empire Candelabra Lamp
Bring a candle-lit aesthetic to your space with this traditional candelabra. ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Low Huge Flush Mount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier: Tailored Empire Elegance
Introducing our new Montgolfière style chandelier, a magnificent embodiment of Empire splendor adorned with exquisite lead cr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$14,346 Sale Price / item
40% Off
Stunning Empire 19th Century Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Scandinavian brass and cut-glass crystal chandelier from the end of the 19th century. It is wired and in excellent condition. Chain not included but if requested we will add chain ...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Rare Fine Quality Brass and Iron Lyre Form French Empire Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Quality Turrn of the Century French Empire Style Chandelier.
Mixed metals.
Dimensions: 36" h x 19 3/4" diameter.
Category
1880s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair Of French Empire Style Candelabra Lamps With Custom Shades
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of vintage French Empire style candelabra lamps with four leafy scrolled brass arms having wooden paint decorated faux candles.
The twin light lamps with a switch behind the de...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Metal, Other
French Empire Style Bronze-Colored Pewter and Frosted Cut Glass Table Lamp 1900s
Located in Barntrup, DE
The beautifully shaped French Empire-style table lamp, which is an electrified petroleum lamp, features a bronze-colored pewter body adorned with three ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Pewter
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
$5,800 / set
Pair of E. F. Caldwell Empire Style Silvered Bronze Three-Light Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This quality pair of neoclassical style sconces are finely detailed, and feature lion heads, rosettes and acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Bronze Ram's Head Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Six-arm Empire style ram's head chandelier. Solid brass and bronze, nice and heavy. Has great patina. In good working condition. Original ceiling cap ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Italy 1970 Pair Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of 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 ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Wonderful Bronze Dolphin & Swan Green Tole Large Bouillotte Empire Regency Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Bronze Dolphin & Swan 4 Candelabra Light Painted Green Tole Metal Shade Large Bouillotte Empire / Regency Style Lamp
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces in the Empire taste. Great Detail.
Original gilding. France, circa 1900. 2 lights each
Dimensions: Height 24" (excluding candles) Width...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Seven Lights Italian Solid Silver Candelabra Empire revival
By Arno Fassi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Magnificent Empire style candelabra in solid 800 silver
The base is square with lion paw-shaped feet.
Two frames with the typical palmettes of the Empire style frame a second smaller square decorated with 4 central flowers. The stem of the candelabra is a statue of a woman (goddess) with her hair gathered and holding a cornucopia in one hand ending with the main candle holder.
The candelabra has 7 lights.
The arms of the candelabra, made with the casting technique, have candle holders and wax collectors also made with the casting technique and finely chiseled.
The central candle holder stands out for its height which surpasses all the other candle holders, making the candelabra slim and balanced in shape and proportions.
A classic example of high quality Italian silverware suitable to be placed in elegant and prestigious homes.
Made in Milan - Italy by Fassi silverware
Silver 800°°/°°° Candelabra Empire...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Silver
Antique French Empire Silver Plated Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire English Silver Plated Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp w/ Marble Insert, Stepped Base and Wreath Design. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 35" H (t...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Silver Plate
Niermann Weeks Empire Style Large Crystals and Metal Wall Sconce or Lantern
Located in Plainview, NY
An elegant iron and crystal wall sconce or lantern by Niermann Weeks. The sconce is made of solid metal and crystals in a timeless Empire style fashion. The sconce features a plume c...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
$2,560 Sale Price
32% 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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