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 French Empire Style Gilt and Cut Glass Candlestick Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair French Empire Style Giltand and cut glass candlestick lamps
A pair of Empire style gilt brass mounted candlestick lamps, 20th century, with cut glass columns.
size shade/b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
1930s French Empire Three lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930’s French empire gilt metal 3 lights sconces with swans head, original gilding and patina
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,200 / set
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi chandelier features best...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Tin
Pair of French 19th Century Empire Cut Glass and Bronze Candelabras / Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very large and impressive French 19th century Empire cut glass and two-tone bronze candelabras made to lamps.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps - a Pair. Item featured is a tall impressive size, 7 electrified candelabras, stunning cast bronze ormolu with rouge marble supports, square black painted wooden bases, remarkable quality and overall presence. Approx 60 lbs each. Stunning and rare pair of floor candelabras...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous 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
$2,016 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$3,460 Sale Price
20% Off
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
c1900 French Empire 23 Light Gilt Bronze/ Tole/ Quiver/ Chandelier Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Very Rare 23 Light French Maison Bagues Empire c1900 Gilt Bronze & Tole Chandelier. Quiver/ Arrows and Cut Crystal Star Detail. 2 lights tucked into each bobesche and many more light...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$6,924 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 1900's French Antique Empire style Crystal Bag & Tent form Wall Sconce
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1920's French Antique Empire style Cut Cascading Crystal Wall Lamp/ Sconce. This is a beautiful antique piece.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$2,864 Sale Price
20% Off
A French Empire Style Lamp Late XIXth Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A French Empire Style Lamp Late XIXth Century
A French gilt and parcel patinated bronze standard lamp
In the shape of a Ionic Greek column
The fluted stem with foliate capital on a ...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,713 Sale Price
23% Off
Pair Empire Style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very fine quality Empire style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps. 16 inch height to top of sockets.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Two French Empire, Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces, circa 1860
Located in Baltimore, MD
Two, exceptional pairs of 19th century 3-arm gas sconces featuring Horn-shaped arms ornamented with anthemions and terminating in urn form candle cups with swags. Sconce body depicts...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Pair of French Large Bronze Empire Regency Lady Figural Tassel Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French doré bronze Regency neoclassical lady figural three-light Empire large tassel wall sconces these sconces have completely...
Category
1910s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Cut Crystal Spear Empire Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
This chandelier is truly stunning, with its sparkling, leaded glass cut crystals. An Empire-style crystal chandelier in the form of a tent with a ring structure adorned with outward-...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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
$2,689 Sale Price
20% Off
Cast Bronze Empire Style Wall Sconces with Opal White Glass Globes, Circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
AEX0397
A pair of large antique empire style cast bronze column form exterior wall sconces with fluting, reeding, and foliate details. Each fixture is finished with a large opal whit...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, 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
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze 2-Light Sconces / Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair antique (19th century) sconces in the French Empire style with gilt bronze arms decorated with masks and mahogany backplates decorated with various neoclassical motifs.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920’s Caldwell Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell Empire style sconces with arrow design
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier.
Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Empire Sconces with Lion's Head
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French gilt bronze sconces with lion's head and crystal hangings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920s French Empire Sconces with 3 lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large French empire style sconces with 3 lights
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Gilt Bronze Female Busts Candlesticks, circa 1820
A beautiful pair of Empire gilt-bronze ormolu c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Brass Empire Hanging Chandelier for Four Candles
Located in Dresden, DE
Early 19th-Century Brass Chandelier for four candles
Height: 65 cm
Diameter: 45 cm
Brass
An elegant addition to any room or entrance way, this Empire lamp holds 4 candles and crea...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Elegant pair of French turn of the century woos sconces ( Empire style )
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of French wood sconces, Empire style, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
Vintage French Empire Brass Swans & Porcelain Chandelier 5 Light
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$896 Sale Price
25% Off
1930's French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930,s French Empire style wall sconces with bend glass inset from Mr..Icahn's Penthouse in NYC
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Pair of Fine Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Four-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of fine antique French Empire gilt and patinated bronze four-light neoclassical wall sconces embellished with figural masks.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Chandelier with 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Wall Sconces, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire gold bronze wall sconces, circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Pair French Empire Neoclassical Regency Gilt Bronze Patinated Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Empire / Neoclassical / Regency Gilt Bronze Patinated Sconces
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with Ram's heads.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
Empire Style Balloon Chandelier with pendants
Located in Paris, FR
Large Empire-style hot-air balloon chandelier with tassels and ormolu mount with palmettes. It is lit by eight lights in the lower part and four more in the upper crown.
The name Mo...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
$1,728 Sale Price
20% Off
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
French Empire Style Painted Opaline Glass and Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style painted opaline glass and bronze chandelier.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze doré 2 arm bouillotte table lamp with swan form arms beneath a red tole adjustable shade 20th century.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Cast Iron Urn Norrahammar No 5
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare garden urn marked Norrahammar No 5 in cast iron, 19th century.
Condition: Good original condition with heavy patina.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Iron
French Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with Eagle Motif. Tole Metal Shade
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Unique piece purchased in France.
Gorgeous lamp, see detailed photos.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Chandelier With 5 Arms In The Empire Style Bronze Green Gold Lighting
Located in Bastogne, BE
An elegant vintage chandelier with 5 arms in the Empire style.
The base is made of bronze and metal of green and gold color and is decorated with a floral pattern with good detailin...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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
Chandelier, Late 20th Century, Empire, 10 Branch, Wilkinson Plc
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The polished brass acanthus leaf corona supports six rectangular split link chains holding a black painted bowl with an ormolu pendant. The five polished brass double candle...
Category
1990s European Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Victory Sconces
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very large and dramatic pair of French Empire style wall sconces in finely chased patinated and gilded bronze. A large winged Victory...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Gilt Tole and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th-century Italian Empire style gilt tole and crystal basket chandelier exudes a touch of elegance and sophistication. The intricate design features a beautiful combination of...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Five-Arm Gilt Bronze Wall Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) French empire style wall light sconces with five electrified candle arms and wiring.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
A fine late 19th c French Empire cut crystal lamp with fine gilt bronze mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and large late 19th century French cut crystal and gilt bronze mounted lamp. Figural soldier heads in gilt bronze
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Small Empire Style Crystal and Gilt Bronze Basket Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A small scale Empire style basket chandelier with lighting to the top, middle, and bottom sections. Each section is framed in gilded bronze supporting chains of cut crystal beads. Th...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Empire Resevoir Lamps
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Empire style lamps. Cut glass or pressed glass oil reservoirs with flame tops and key detail. 3 portraits adorn the top of the highly ornate bases. Heavy.
Curbside to NYC/P...
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
$1,580 / set
Pair of Empire-style apliques in burnished and gilded bronze
Located in Milano, IT
Two gold-leafed and darkened Empire apliques, from whose circular base the three arms emerge. They are not signed but considering the quality they are certainly by a good foundry cra...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
A pair of 1920s brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1920s solid brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design, each with two fittings, rewired with new fittings and PAT tested
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Two-Light Candelabra Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a desk or library with this elegant antique three-arm candelabra converted into a table lamp. Created in France, circa 1860, the fixture sits on a triangle base embellished ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pierced Tole Italian Chandelier Decorated in Crystal and Glass Prisms
Located in Houston, TX
Pierced tole Italian chandelier decorated in crystal and glass prisms, Dates to late 19th century. Chandelier fabricated from iron and tole and d...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Tin
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Opaline and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Charleston, SC
This chandelier was made in Russia in the first half of the 19th century, circa 1805. This piece features four anthemions on the top rim above four bronze chains attached to an urn-s...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Ebonized Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) ebonized and gilt bronze 6 arm chandelier suspended by 3 black and gilt bronze link extensions with a flame ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Two Empire wall sconces. Bronze, Glass, France, circa 1900
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of appliques. Bronze, glass. Empire style, France, circa 1900.
Both are practically the same, each wall light has three points of light and a decoration and lines that respond...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Other
Large Prussian Chandelier After a Design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Berlin
By Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This large and spectacular German eight-light chandelier is made after the design by the famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) in the manufactory of Schwitzky & Mencke...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
19th Century Empire Chandelier
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful large Empire chandelier with original candleholders, restored and cleaned.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$6,722 Sale Price
25% Off
French Empire Bronze Dore Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) bronze dore scroll design 3 arm table lamp with swan and urn motifs.
Ships without a shade
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Magnificent Bronze Chandelier In Empire Style Six Light Pendant Lighting
Located in Bastogne, BE
Majestic vintage chandelier!
The material of manufacture of this chandelier is a real 100% BRONZE, which is valued all over the world and is charact...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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.