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
Empire Style Flush Mount Chandelier, Vintage, 1980s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Empire style vintage pendant lighting.
1980s.
The ceiling lamp is a real example of high-quality, beautiful and durable lighting. Wit...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Brass Desk Adjustable Lamp in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century electrified brass desk lamp in Empire style.
The part with the bulbs is adjustable.
France, circa 1860.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$895 Sale Price
42% Off
Pair of French Empire Style Two Light Wall Sconces
Located in Montreal, QC
This attractive pair in the Empire style, with palmette decorated backplates and stylised sconces are centered on black circular panels with gilt raised ornament.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass
Pair of French Empire Brass Candelabra Lamps, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of very fine quality 19th century brass candelabras, now converted to table lamps.
Professionally re-wired.
These have their ori...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Bronze Wall Sconces Double Armed Lighting Lamp In Candelabra Style
Located in Bastogne, BE
Pair of empire style wall lights manufactured in the 20th century.
Bronze construction.
Original gilding. The sconces are decorated with ac...
Category
1970s Vintage 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
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
1960's Italian Marble Bronze Urn Table Lamp by Marbro
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous Italian purple marble urn lamp with golden bronze handles, base and hardware.
Made by the artisans of Marbro Lamp CO. No issues or damage.
Very heavy piece, 55 lbs +.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Pair of 3-light torches in chased and gilded bronze, signed Barbedienne
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of three-light candelabra in chased and gilded bronze, signed F. Barbedienne, Paris. Barbedienne, Paris.
Elegant pair of Empire-style three-light candelabra in finely chased an...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
$6,688 Sale Price
26% Off
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
Set of Four Empire Style Three-Light Wall Sconces, Gilt and Patinated
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four French Empire style cast bronze three-arm wall sconces. The
oval cast gilt bronze back plate, with stylized acanthus leaf design, supporting a gilt banded dark patinated...
Category
Early 20th Century French 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
Antique Patinated Bronze Chandelier with Figure of Mercury and Three Arms
Located in San Francisco, CA
This beautifully crafted chandelier of patinated bronze is truly magnificent. With it's detailed figure of Mercury, bronze garlands, cherubs and gazelles, the three arms each hold f...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
Pair of Empire Style Seven-Light Candelabra
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble Seven-Light Candelabra.
These palatial sized candelabra date to the First Empire period. As becoming of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of Very Large French 19th Century Gilded Bronze Sconces
By Pierre Bureaux
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of very large French 19th Century gilded bronze sconces. Last picture in situ. Empire style, three-branch wall-lights, after a model by Edme Jean Gallien (1720-1797) and Pierre ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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
Antique French Gilt Bronze Table Lamp, Signed Moreau, Late 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant French gilt bronze table lamp signed Moreau depicts Erato, the Greek goddess of music, dance and song. She is represented holding a lyre while her left arm is leaning upon an open book that rests upon a fluted column. Trailing ivy extends down the upper portion of the column. She carries the lyre in her right hand which hangs down to her right hip. There is a serene and pensive expression on her face as she looks down and to her left. She stands on an indented and canted, lacquered black base with a gilt metal wreath...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Russian Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Russian Empire style gilt bronze chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features thirty-six lights and a crown decorated with 12 leaves and a pine-cone, from which large chains are leaving downwards. Both rings are decorated with double-armed Athena's heads crowned...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Signed E F. Caldwell Neo-Classical Style Bronze Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of signed Caldwell bronze sconces are in the neo-classical style. They feature Antique motifs including anthemion, and leopard heads.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Style French Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Majestic basket chandelier in French. Empire style in 1900.
Bronze, gilded. Basket-shaped, profile-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prism strings. In the course, con...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms.
Cleaned and re-wired, in full working order and ready to use.
In excellent vintage condition.
Si...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19t Century Pair French Empire Lamps Paris Porcelain (Rust) Ormolu Mounts
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Scottish Etched Glass Compote. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
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
Empire Eighteen-Light Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
Spectacular French early 19th century bronze and ormolu chandelier, the 12 scrolling arms molded with leaves and interspersed with six ad...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique 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
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Bronze Female Caryatids Candelabras
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century French empire gilt and patinated bronze female caryatids candelabras à la Grècque.
A beautiful pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabras deco...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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
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
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
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
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843)
A large a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Wrought Iron and Parcel Gilt Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
French wrought iron and parcel gilt 3-light sconces with shades, from Los Angeles estate, 1930s. Beautiful patina.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
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
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
Beautiful Double-Armed Wall Sconce Empire Style Vintage Wall Lamp, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Lumalux Paris brass wall lamp in the Empire style.
Manufactured in France.
It features bright gold and green enamel finishes.
The light ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Wall Sconces Pair Empire Style
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A PAIR OF VINTAGE, EMPIRE STYLE, GILDED & BLACK METAL WALL SCONCES, WITH TWO ARMS
- Striking, simple form accentuated by the contrast betwe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
$2,753 / set
Pair of Large Empire Appliqués / Sconces circa 1800, Gilded Linden Wood
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of large Empire appliqués / sconces circa 1800, gilded linden wood
Solid linden wood, gilded two-flame. Carved, gilded. Ribbon, each with a central, fully sculpted eagle sculpt...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$4,997 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
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms.
Six E 14 light bulbs.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$13,376 Sale Price
20% Off
A Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine pair of late 19thC French Empire style candelabra now wired into lamps. The very well cast and patinated winged Victory or Nike s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Russian Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely cast and gilded Russian Empire style candelabra that was transformed into a lamp; featuring a classical maiden holding aloft three winged sea horses terminating in candle no...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi, with its marble base, resume the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Bronze
20th Century (early) French Bouillotte Ormolu Lamps
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Unique piece purchased in France.
Gorgeous lamp, see detailed photos.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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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