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
20th Century Empire Style Bronze Silvered Three Claw-Feet French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times structured, fluted column-shaft.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine and Decorative Bronze Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and decorative bronze chandelier. Oval center issuing six U-shaped arms, central rod ornated with ram's heads. 6-light, France, circa 1900
Dimensions: Height 39" x diameter 3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century French Cast Bronze & Alabaster Chandelier, c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century French Empire style cast bronze and alabaster 12 bulb chandelier. Decorated with laurel leaves, reeded boarders and bran...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Chandelier Referred to Empress Joséphine
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic splendid chandelier in Empire style referred to Empress Joséphine.
Exceptionally cine, engraved and cast Bronze. Basket-formed corpus from h...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Superb Antique Italian Neoclassical Empire Bronze Figural Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A pair of superb antique Italian empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural candelabra lamps with royal markings, 19th century. Measure: Overall height 38.50”.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and crystal basket chandelier attributed to Baccarat. 15-light
France, circa 1910.
Dimensions: Height 5...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns Wired as Lamps
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns, Wired as Lamps. Featuring ornate swag garlands and rams heads, with a frieze of dancing putti.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of gilt and patinated bronze sconces from embellished with winged Victories. Each sconce features four candlestick branches that terminate in lions heads and are intricately scu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$16,819 / set
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
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...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Four Sweeping Arms Candlestick/Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Monumental candelabra in Empire style.
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
(T-Ra-14).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Louis Philippe Siena Marble and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
a pair of fine lamps of Siena marble with gold and silver gilt bronze mounts and supports, France, circa 1830
37" H x 8" diameter base
PRICED WITHOUT SHADES
(SHADES AVAILABLE SE...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Siena Marble, Silver, Bronze
Swedish Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Basket Chandelier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Swedish Empire style gilt-bronze and cut-crystal tent and basket chandelier.
Swedish, Circa 1825.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
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).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Wall Light Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Decorative wall light in Empire style.
Finely engraved and cast bronze. Three stylized, full horn-formed, sweeping light arms.
(F-Sam-1).
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Period First Empire Patinated Bronze and Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
Magnificent pair of French 19th century Period First Empire round patinated bronze and bronze three light sconces with bronze candle cups of acanthus leaves, adorned with feathers, b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
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).
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Table Lamps by Thomire à Paris
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous and highly important pair of empire gilt bronze and rock crystal table lamps. Both are signed on the base Thomire à Paris. Each is meticulou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Chandelier
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine early 19th century Swedish five-light crystal chandelier. The rim supporting four candle branches and a central candle nozzle above a tiered base hung with glass lustres, conn...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Wall Sconces attributed to Caldwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Bronze & Crystal Wall Sconces, each having a pierced anthemion backplates, demi lume corona with three lights above a band of square and kite shaped prisms & steel liner. US...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$4,250 / set
20th Century, Empire Style Silvered Ceiling Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, silvered. Finely engraved. Bell shaped, traffic-light styled corpus.
(F-Ra-25).
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Bronze and Ormolu Seven-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu seven light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine ormolu acorn inverted finial below a richly chased base with most decorative foliate patterns in a striking satin and burnished finish. Each of the six scrolled ormolu arms display fine foliate chasing and candle cups, with rich foliate reserves at the rim. Three ormolu supports...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Pair of French Empire Style Black Porcelain & Bronze Mounted Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and fine pair of French Empire style Art Deco period black porcelain and bronze mounted table lamps. This beautiful pair of bl...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Alabaster and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. alabaster and ormolu chandelier. The nine arm twelve light chandelier is centered by a striking foliate acorn shaped or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Swedish Empire Ceiling Chandelier in antique Classicist Style brass polished
Located in Berlin, DE
Polished brass and facet-ground prism hangings.
Measures:
Diameter 76 cm
Height 120 cm.
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
A Pair of French Black Amethyst Crystal Pineapple Form Gilt Bronze Mounted Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A Fabulous Pair of French 20th Century Black Amethyst Cut Crystal Anannas/Pineapple shaped and Gilt Bronze Mounted Lamps. Each lamp consists of a base and a central body section comp...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$15,040 Sale Price
20% Off
French Candelabra in Empire Style silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times
structured, fluted column-shaft.
Measures:
Height: 73.5 cm,
diameter 25 cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Classicist Basket Chandelier silver in antique Empire Style brass hand crafted
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely chased and silver-plated bronze. Basket-shaped body made of hand-wired pearl cords with a leaf rosette and a pine knob at the end, connected by a w...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold, Bronze
48 Lights Chandelier in 24kt Gold Finish with Scholler Crystal Pendants
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Italian bespoke chandelier designed and produced by Modenese Luxury Interiors for contract projects and divine interiors. Its 24kt gold leaf finishe...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf, Gold
Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire Sconces
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Pair of gilt bronze three-arm Empire sconces with leaf detail.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,800 / set
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb antique Empire gilt bronze and cut crystal multi light chandelier of exquisite detail embellished with cut crystal prisms and chains, circa 1810.
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Price Upon Request
Large Antique, French Empire Style, Neoclassical Silvered Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large antique French Empire style silvered bronze multi light chandelier embellished with neoclassical motifs.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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.