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
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Ormolu Painated Gilt Bronze Crystal Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical, ormolu painated and gilt bronze with crystal column center lamp.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Gilded Bronze Floor Lamp by Edward F. Caldwell & Co
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous antique floor lamp by Edward F. Caldwell has a sleek design with a strong gilded cast bronze base with foliage motif and wreath lip. A fluted pole extends from the base...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Two French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These two sconces have been crafted in the Empire style, which was popularised by the French Emperor, Napoleon I. The Empire style is characterised by its grandeur and use of opulent...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$13,205 / set
19th Century Italian Empire Venetian Opaline Glass and Amber Crystal Chandelier
Located in Charleston, SC
This 19th century Italian Empire chandelier is beautifully decorated with Venetian Opaline glass. The four arms are made of brass. Amber crystals suspend from the bottom. This item h...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Romantic Italian Empire Style Iron and Frosted Glass Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic Empire style iron and frosted glass chandelier having delicate draping necklaces of glass and 6 arms.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Second Empire Heavy 2 Light Bronze Sconces Wall Lights Late 19th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of second Empire heavy 2 light solid polished bronze dore sconces, light fixture, wall lamps from the late 19th century.
Depict face motif in the middle a...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,830 Sale Price / set
30% Off
2 brass and glass Peacock wall-sconces in Hollywood regency style
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
19th Century Pair of French Empire Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th century) bronze wall sconces with 5 arms, swan tops and a double ball design (Priced as pair).
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of 19th c. French Empire Style Electrified Candelabra
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of nineteenth century French Empire style candelabra. Each gilt-trimmed bronze candelabrum features a central urn-top arm surrounde...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
French Empire Bronze Doré Wall Sconce
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 19th century bronze doré wall sconce with lion head on back plate and 3 griffin arms.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Parcel-Gilt-Bronze Candelabra Lamps
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire bronze candelabra table lamp with paw feet neoclassical 32.5 inches tall (these lamps have been newly rewired).
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
20th Century Empire Style Horn-Formed Rolling Candlesticks French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and casted, partially silvered. Three stylized, horn-formed rolling candle sticks.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Bronze Egyptian Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze lamp with 3 Egyptian ebonized & gilt figures resting on a round base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Chandelier Sweden or Baltic States Cut Glas Gilded
Located in Epfach, DE
The chandelier is probably made circa 1810 in Sweden or the Baltic States. It is made out of cut glass and flashed glass the three double arms and the mascarons are gilded.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
20th Century Empire Style Bronze Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and silvered bronze. Full plasticised, masculine historical Egyptian representation.
(T-Mr-20-Bas).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Pair French Neoclassical Empire Bronze Figural 5-Arm Regency Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French neoclassical / empire bronze figural masks, 5-arm regency wall sconces.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French 1920s Empire Style Bronze and Opaline Glass Table Lamps, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style bronze and opaline glass candelabra table lamps from the early 20th century, with scrolling arms and volutes. Created in France during the first quarter of the 20th century, each of this pair of table lamps attracts our attention with its bronze scrolling arms resting upon a white opaline glass pedestal. Raised on a tripartite base accented with delicate volutes, the candelabras have been rewired for the US. With their Empire silhouette...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Sconces with Exceptional Casting
Located in Charleston, SC
A large pair of exceptionally well cast 19th century French Empire bronze doré sconces, circa 1810, featuring quiver base with three candle arms, finely detailed eagle heads, foliate...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
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
20th Century Empire Style Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and casted bronze. Full plasticized, feminine historical Egyptian representation.
(T-Mr-21-Bp).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Large and very impressive Antique French Empire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze circular form multi light chandelier of fine detail . This large unique chandelier consists of twelve patinated bronze arms embellished on a circular gilt bronze frame depicting neoclassical motifs. Further the the main body is connected to a highly decorated top crown canopy...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Pair, Empire Style Sconces, 18-Karat Gold Plate, 3 Lights, Black Shaft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Larger pair of Empire Looking style sconces They are of hi-quality lost wax Bronze castings with fine detailing . With polished 18-karat gold plated finish in Antique. Center sha...
Category
1990s American Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920 Empire Bronze Swam Sconces 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1920’s gilt bronze French Empire sconces with swam head holding a ring with 3 lights
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$6,800 / set
French Empire Style Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"French Empire style (20th Century) bronze dore 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with swan motif.
Ships without a shade"
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style bronze 5-arm wall sconces with swan top and double ball design (19th century).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$9,800 / set
Empire Style French Patinated & Gilded Bronze Two Light Torchiere Lamp
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a heavy Empire style patinated and gilded bronze two light torchiere floor lamp with an ebonized foliate decorated standard and faux center candle switch, accented...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Wood and Lacquer Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) giltwood and black lacquer wall sconces with four arms and figural winged ladies (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Style Eight-Arm Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French empire style crystal and gilt bronze chandelier, the top gilt band of palmettes supporting strings of cut crystals terminating at the central gilt rosette mounted ring, pain...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Doré Bronze Twelve-Light Tassel Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
This wonderful doré bronze twelve-light chandelier has a wonderful top with draped swag, etched detail throughout and cherubs accenting the top.
Measures: 24" W x 32" H.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Regency Neoclassical Bronze Patinated Marble 19th Century Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine French Empire Regency neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated 19th century lamp with marble center column.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Hand Blown Murano Glass Semi Flush Fixture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous Large Hand-Blown Italian Glass Semi Flush Fixture. Ribbed salt glass bowl with elegant pale pink ruffle trim. Dramatic addition to any room.
...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Murano Glass
Wonderful Empire Dore Bronze Rock Crystal Neoclassical Figure Candlestick Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Empire doré bronze rock crystal neoclassical figure candlestick lamp
Stamped made in France on base
Completely rewired.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Rock Crystal, 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
$9,074 Sale Price / item
20% Off
20th Century French Black Enamel Tole and Gilt Bronze Table Lamp with Silk Shade
Located in Firenze, IT
A beautiful pair of French Empire style early 20th century black lacquered metal and parcel gilt bronze table lamps with pagoda silk shades.
These high quality chic and stylish neoc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Metal, Bronze
Elegant French Empire Doré Bronze Crystal Three-Light Fixture Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Very fine, beautifully detailed French doré bronze and crystal three-arm chandelier with flame top urn centre in the neoclassical style.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique French Neoclassical Empire Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Antique French Empire Egyptian Revival gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi light chandelier of exquisite craftsmanship embellished with four patinated bronze neoclas...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt Four-Arm Wall Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style ebonized and gilt four-arm wall sconces with flame top (20th century).
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century.
Dimens...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Composition
French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze Bouillotte lamp with 3 arms with dark green tole shade.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Empire Ceiling Chandelier in antique Classicist Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Swedish Empire ceiling crown in the style of classicism
Polished brass and facetted prismatic trimmings. Starting from narrow, ornamented brass hoops, eight curved candlesticks for cylindrical spouts above a round gutter bowl. Baluster-shaped body made of hand-wired pearl strings...
Category
20th Century German Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Gilt Brass Three-Arm Table Lamp
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A mid-20th century French gilt brass three-arm table lamp, retains its original pressed card faux candles and is fitted with three individual chandelier shades...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
French Empire Style Cast Brass Dual Arm Wall Sconces, pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of French Empire Style casted brass wall sconces, each sconce features 2 arms each powered by 25w E12 chandelier bulb. These classic-styled scones work well in Victorian-styled ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$471 Sale Price / set
40% Off
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
French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze bouillotte lamp with 4 arms and a black tole lampe shade.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of French Empire Revival Bronze Two Light Wall Sconce
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire Revival wall sconce with a torch like design having two scroll form arms and flame finial top (PRICED AS PAIR )
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
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
$13,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier by Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier. The main and top circles with Anthemia and rosettes. Graduated chains of crystal octagon beads a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Oil Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze & patinated bronze oil lamp.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French early 19th Century twelve light gilded chandelier attributed to Thomire
Located in Southall, GB
An impressive gilt and patinated bronze French Empire chandelier with twelve lights, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843). Winged Victory figures wearing classical robes stand...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
$94,525 Sale Price
20% Off
A Pair of American Gilt-Bronze Three Light Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gorgeous twisted cornucopia sconces by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. Three scrolling cornucopia supports joined by a scroll form rose with tudor rose style on and off switch, hard...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Empire Style Wall Lights
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very nice pair of chiseled bronze wall lights with very beautiful Empire style gilding from the beginning of the 20th century
Circular hook with lion mask holding in its mouth a f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,440 / set
Pair of Italian Empire Style Brass Scones or Wall Lights 1970
Located in Rome, IT
with Three stylized, full horn-formed, finely chiselled light arms centered by a lion mask.
Perfect condition , three E14 light bulbs.
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$2,593 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Russian Ormolu Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Russian Ormolu Bouillotte Lamp
Beautiful lamp purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Large 2nd Empire Bronze 4-Light Melusina Sconces, Pair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Second Empire Bronze sconces depicting The Melusina of European Folklore. The Mermaid with Angel Wings. A female spirit of fresh water. Detailed castings of the four winds, scaled ta...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$9,100 Sale Price
36% Off
Empire Style Painted and Gilt Metal Sconce
Located in London, GB
Empire style painted and gilt metal sconce
French, 20th century
measures: Height 34cm, width 26cm, depth 17cm
This elegant sconce is crafted in the Empire style. The sconce feat...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Bronze Splendor Wall Appliqués / Sconces, Paris, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of bronze splendor wall appliqués / sconces, Paris, 19th century
Fire gilded bronze. Five-flame frame for candles with rocaille and rosettes in relief. Colorless glass prism ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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.