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.
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps with Adjustable Height Finials - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 25.5"- 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candelabra of Ormolu and Patinated Bronze and Marble
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of late 19th century Empire bronze and ormolu candelabra. - Caryatid herm female figures on marble block plinths. - Three ormolu candle arms/cups - Well modeled.
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Brass Candlestick Student Oil Style Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Patinated Brass Candlestick Student "Oil Lamp Style" Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to light socket) x 9.5" W x 6....
Brass
Important Pair of 1st Period French Empire Pat. & Dore Bronze 6-Light Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous and important pair of antique French 1st period Empire patinated and two-tone matte and burnished doré bronze six-light candelabras. Each modeled with figures of Goddess D...
Bronze
Antique Gothic French Empire Renaissance Bronze Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic French Empire Bronze Candelabra Renaissance Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features 6 candle arms, fluted columns, flared pedestal base, single light sockets, and tall sta...
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...
Bronze
Large Empire Style Lamp in Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze, 1940s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Empire style lamp in cut crystal and chiselled and gilt bronze mount. Circular gilt bronze base adorned with a Walter leaves frieze, gadroons and beads topped by a cut crystal ...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Empire Style Porcelain and Ormolu Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning true pair of French 19th century Empire st. porcelain and ormolu lamps. Each elegant lamp is raised by a fine circular or...
Ormolu
Russian 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze, Crystal, and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and extremely decorative Russian 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze, crystal, and ormolu chandelier. The twelve arm chandelier is centered by a Fine solid crystal...
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of E 20th C Empire Gilt Bronze Large Sconces, Removed from Paris Theatre
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French gilt bronze large Empire style three light sconces. Removed from a Paris theatre in the 1920's.
Bronze
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. ...
Marble, Brass
A Very Fine Pair of Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabra / Lamps
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome pair of Empire Period parcel gilt bronze 3 light candelabra of exceptional quality & fine proportions, having been converted to table lamps decades ago. Both show...
Bronze
$7,450
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine silver over bronze hand carved alabaster pendant, France, circa 1930. Dimensions: Height 39 1/2", diameter 22" CW3329.
Alabaster
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.
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and cut crystal chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi with eight lights. This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Crystal, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This unusual chandelier is designed in the Empire style from gilt and patinated bronze in the form of an ancient Roman terracotta or earthenwa...
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Phoenix, AZ
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp Beautiful lamp purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with photos.
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Gold and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
These patinated sconces are handsome, with their floral and eagle decorations. They make a strong statement while being modestly sized.
Gold, Bronze
empire brass column lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
empire lamp stem in solid brass with contemporary lampshade from the 1950's base is 44 centimetres high ( 17 1/3")
Brass, Steel
20th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
Located in IT
20th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp This elegant table lamp model buillotte was made in France towards the beginning of the twentieth century, of classic taste with deco...
Bronze
Empire Style Seven-Light Candelabra, Gilt Bronze & Marble, Circa 1870
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 ...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$1,048Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Bronze
20th Century Magnificent, Classical Swedish Ceiling Crown, Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent, classical Swedish ceiling crown, chandelier Polished brass. Curved, star shaped body with teardrop-shaped, faceted glass hangings, starti...
Crystal, Brass
Glass and Black Metal Imperial Chandelier with Bronze Eagle Finial, 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s imperial style chandelier with clear glass rod and black metal arms and bronze eagle finial with six wax candle-like lights.
Metal
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Metal Opaline Noire Glass Electrical Converted Oil Lamp
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style tall large oil lamp that was converted to an electrical one. It consists of a cylindrical long chimney lamp clear shade attached to a brass burner holder; this in turn is connected to a semilunar shaped milk glass font joined to a faceted opaline noire glass conical shaped body. A gold metal band are between both glass parts. There are two long gilt metal scroll formed handles adorned with a relief of acanthus leaves at the upper and bottom part in each side of the conical body. Also, there are a relief of flowers and branches of leaves in the center of it. This conical body is supported by a patinated heavy metal pedestal embellished by acanthus leaves, gilt metal ornaments...
Opaline Glass
$4,896Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Crystal
Pr. French Empire Period Patinated & Dore Bronze Candlesticks Turned to Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic pair of French empire period patinated and dore bronze candlesticks mounted as lamps. Each is beautifully cast, hand-chased, and hand-chiseled with the finest quality of burnished and matted dore bronze mounts. The fluted columnar bodies are beautiful with a dark patina which is offset with magnificent rich dore bronze mounts. The bodies are fluted with acanthus leaf dore bronze mounts which terminate at either end. The tops are supported by multiple patinated bronze lions paws. The bases are square with dore bronze medusa...
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Doré Wall Sconce with Lion Head, Circa 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 19th century bronze doré wall sconce with lion head on back plate and 3 griffin arms.
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...
Bronze
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Bouillotte Lamp with Swan Motif
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) bronze dore 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with swan motif.
Bronze
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...
Bronze, Tin
French Empire Style Bronze and Alabaster Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Alabaster Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features best quality hand-chiseled details. Top crowns in characterized by rich vegetal decoration with acanthus leaves acroterion and alabaster. Below a tortile rod hold, together with gilt bronze chains, the monolithic alabaster plate...
Alabaster, Bronze
Large Swedish Ceiling Chandelier in Classicist Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid brass with an antique finish. Hangings from finely ground crystal. Measures: Diameter 76 cm, height 114 cm.
Brass
$8,367 / set
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabras
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Stunning pair of gilded and patinated bronze candelabras, featuring a winged cupid. He is standing on a sphere and holding a torch, which is surrounded by three curving candle branch...
Bronze
$18,000Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Empire Style, Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite chandelier is constructed in the French Empire neoclassical style and is formed with a large central bell-shaped body suspended from four chains. The upper canopy feat...
Ormolu, 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...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features best quality hand-chiseled details. Top crowns in characterized by rich vegetal decorati...
Bronze, Tin
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).
Bronze
Empire Figural Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabrum
Located in Montreal, QC
Crisply modelled as a standing godess, supporting ebonised and gilt arms, her slender body clad in a clinging toga with gilt tassels , arm bands, and sandals. She stands on an elabo...
Bronze
Set of Four Empire Style Ten-Branch Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
Set of four Empire style ten-branch gilt bronze sconces French, circa 1890 Measures: Height 56cm, width 40cm, depth 32cm Each of the sconces in this set of four is crafted from ...
Ormolu, Bronze
$4,180 / set
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire style pair of gilt bronze sconces with 5 lights. A classic pair in the colors of gold and black. Very nice!.
Bronze
true pair of French 19th century Bronze, Ormolu and Marble candelabra lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive and high quality true pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Vert de Patricia Marble candelabra lamps. Each stunning electrified ca...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Empire Style French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Three stylized horn-formed rolling candlesticks. (T-Mr-14-Bas).
Bronze
20th Century Candelabra after Pierre Philippe Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Princely splendid candelabra after Pierre Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) exceptionally fine engraved and moulded bronze. Fully moulded designed f...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Bronze
French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. Bronze and Ormolu lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most impressive French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble lamp. The stunning candelabra mounted into a l...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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).
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Bronze
French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu and bronze chandelier French, 19th century Measures: Height 100cm, diameter 64cm This chandelier is a beauti...
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Ormolu Chandelier With Trumpet Light Fittings, c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French Empire style ormolu bronze chandelier fitted with an allegory of trumpets. The item has been converted to accommodate modern day lightbulbs. CONDITION...
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Empire Style Basket Applique or Wall Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic basket applique in the Empire style. Extremely finely chased and cast bronze. The basket-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prisms is connected by a broad, ornamental...
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Empire style basket chandelier Classicist basket chandelier in Empire style. Finely cast, Bronze silvered. Adorned with engraved swans and pearl cords. (F-Ra-20).
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Three Claw-Feet French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times structured, fluted column-shaft. (T-Mr-15-Bp).
Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very Elegant gilt bronze empire style chandelier. Exquisite detail. 4 lights. France, circa 1920. Measures: Height 27 1/2" Diameter 16" CW5101.
Bronze
$2,527Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Brass
Antique Gilt Bronze and Opaline Glass Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful, tall chandelier is ideal for a grand entrance hall or room where it can be seen and admired. It is an exceptional piece of Empire style design, perfectly combining gl...
Ormolu
French Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with Eagle Motif. Tole Metal Shade
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Unique piece purchased in France. Gorgeous lamp, see detailed photos.
Metal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze, Ormolu And Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and extremely decorative French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze, ormolu and crystal chandelier. The six arm twenty two light chandelier is centered by an elegan...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu