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.
Putti Baroque Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Porcelain rose
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Restored Solid Brass Chandelier with Cherub & Hand-Painted Porcelain Roses – 9 Lights A true masterpiece of classic lighting design, this opulent chandelier is crafted e...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$1,903Sale Price / set|50% Off
Maison Lucien Gau bronze wall lighting model Swann Empire , France 1960s
Located in La xara, VC
The wall sconces correspond to the swan model by Maison Lucien Gau, a Parisian bronze art manufacturer specializing in bronze lighting since 1860, still active today. Model Identifi...
Bronze
19th Century Italian Large Empire Crystal & Gilded Iron Chandelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
A grand 19th century Empire chandelier with cascading strands of hand-cut crystal and a richly gilded iron frame, showcasing classical symmetry and the opulence of Napoleonic design....
Crystal, Iron
Pair Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Sac-à-Perle Chandeliers – Lovingly and Professionally Restored This stunning pair of antique chandeliers has been carefully and expertly restored in Berlin. T...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
1930 Swedish Empire Chandelier with Crystals and Etched Glass
Located in New York, NY
1930 Swedish Empire bronze chandelier with etched glass inset and crystals around
Crystal, Bronze
French Vintage Empire Style Gilt Bronze & Tole Flush-mount
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French, 20th century Empire-style ceiling fixture of green tôle using eight candelabra lights to illuminate the stunning gilt bronze accents. The round painted metal bowl...
Bronze, Metal
Majestic Huge Schonbek "Camelot" 2643 Crystal Gem Cut 84 Light Chandelier
By Schonbek
Located in Tustin, CA
Very elegant, finest quality, estate Schonbek Swarovski Gemcut crystal chandelier features classic Napoleonic Empire style. This stately and magnificent chandelier has two tiers and approximately 84 incandescent lights. It measures 65" long and 41.5" in diameter. The hardware is finished in gold. This chandelier is lavishly draped in crystals. The retail price of a new, made to order chandelier of this size is over $22,000.00. Reference page 104 of the Schonbek Beyond Lighting catalogue shown in the photos. Schonbek Worldwide Lighting, a Swarovski company, has 149 years of experience crafting superior crystal...
Crystal, Metal
Exceptional French Empire Brass Table Lamp, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Exceptional French Empire Brass Table Lamp, 1820s An outstanding French Empire brass table lamp, circa 1820–30, originally designed as an oil...
Brass
Antique French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb antique French Empire-style gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier. This chandelier is designed in the French Empire style, executed in gilt and patinated bronze. The structur...
Bronze
$36,000Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century Russian Crystal Gilt Bronze and Blue Glass Chandelier
By Johann Zech
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19th century Russian chandelier having eight candle arms. The design is intended to represent waterfalls. The central stem of the chandelier is in four tiers each hung with ...
Crystal, Bronze
$590Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Arrow Wall Sconces Lamp Featuring Goddess Ceres
Located in Toronto, CA
This exquisite pair of Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces effortlessly blends classical grandeur with subtle Art Deco influences, making them a rare and elegant addition to any in...
Bronze
$5,800 / set
1930's Empire Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Bronze
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. The middle part in the form of a column. Richly decorated with leaf and period Empir...
Bronze
First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940. Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb. Original patin...
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Classical Empire gilt and patinated bronze lamps depicting beautiful maidens in flowing Grecian garb, balancing fine gilt bronze candle holders on their heads and standing on dark gr...
Slate, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Onyx, Brass
$320Sale Price|20% Off
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire Empire style Marble and golden bronze Origin France circa 1900 Very good condition. Natural wear.
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning 19th century Italian Empire style gilt metal and crystal chandelier with 6 lights. Beautiful basket shape with gorgeous crystals. Creates an elegant image!
Crystal, Metal
Small and Lovely Napoleon / Empire Style Bronze Chandelier / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare size chandelier from the 1920s. If you look at the shape of the centre and the shape of the arms that grow out of this pendant then you capture the essence of it. It is stylish...
Bronze
$12,900Sale Price / set|25% Off
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century Provenance: ...
Bronze
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French Napoleonic Table Lamps Tartan Tripod Base Lion Paws Empire Lamps a Pair
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Stiffel, Burberry, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Frederick Cooper
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage French Empire Table Lamps with tartan lampshades Style: Vintage Antique, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Baroque, Design: Traditional Napoleonic Column lamps in th...
Metal
$462Sale Price|30% Off
Antique French Bouillotte Lamp, Hand-Painted Toleware, 1930s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Sheet Metal
Large Italian Empire Crystal Chandelier with 18 Lights 18th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Large Late 1700s 18-Light Empire Chandelier in Crystal and Gilt Brass, in perfect condition. A rare and antique Italian salon chandelier with a light balloon-like structure made of i...
Crystal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Set of Three Antique French Empire Wall Light Sconces 2 Lights torch, France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A nice set of three sconces with 2 light sources, made of bronze in torch styles. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabra bulbs, each up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a...
Bronze
$2,187Sale Price / item|20% Off
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This an...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French Empire, Thirteen Light Basket Chandelier, Bronze, Crystal, France, 19th C
Located in Stamford, CT
French Empire, Bronze, Crystal, Thirteen Light Chandelier, France, 19th Century An exquisite 19th century dore bronze chandelier featuring a classic basket ballroom design with intr...
Crystal, Bronze
$15,840Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Empire Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Eagle Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An Antique French Empire Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Multi-light Chandelier. The chandelier features a circular patinated bronze body of wide, tapering form, suspended by four elaborate reticulated gilt...
Bronze
$25,693Sale Price / item|20% Off
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal, Iron, Wire
Large French Empire Brass Crackle Art Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Large French Empire Brass & Crackle Frosted Art Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture Having 3 Internal Candelabra Lights Rewired With New Sockets
Brass
Empire style bronze dore chandelier with crystal
Located in Houston, TX
Fine gilt bronze frame which has fifteen lights Makes this piece exceptional. This chandelier Has five lights in the bowl and ten lights around The perimeter. The wiring is new and...
Crystal, Bronze
$8,901Sale Price|25% Off
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Beaded Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Empire-Style Chandelier in Gilt Brass and Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 1950s Empire-style chandelier crafted in gilt brass and richly adorned with hand-cut Bohemian crystal beads. The piece features a classic basket form with a tapered upper sec...
Crystal, Brass
Large and elegant Table Lamp in Empire style - Early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Large, beautiful table lamp of gilded and dark patinated bronze, in classic Empire style from the early 20th century. The lamp with a black lacquer shade with gold on the inside give...
Bronze
Pair Of Antique Brass Peacock Wall light, Spain, 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful brass wall lights with crystal glass beads. Manufactured in the 1960s in Europe, Spain. The lights are in the shape of a peacock. With crystal beads between the b...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Gilded 19th Century Italian Empire Lamps in Carved Wood
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of Antique 19th-Century Italian Empire Gilded Lamps in Carved Wood, centerpiece, made with early-1800s finials, vases on hexagonal plinth with vegetable pastille carving frames,...
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Empire Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Experience the grandeur of the 19th century with this elegant French Empire-style chandelier. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the piece features a sturdy bronze framewor...
Crystal, Bronze
1900's Swedish Empire 6 Lights Chandelier with Cobalt Blue Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 Swedish Empire chandelier with Cobalt blue glass inset, with 6 lights
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820 A beautiful and elegant pair of bronze table lamps, originally crafted as Empire candlesticks in France ...
Bronze
Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Three-Light Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has a brass and metal frame hung with chains of crystal glass beads forming a basket...
Metal, Brass
Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandeliers
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandeliers exudes elegance and sophistication, perfect for adding a touch of luxury to any room. The chandeliers fea...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads. Each sconce ha...
Bronze
$7,035Sale Price|30% Off
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...
Crystal, Wire
$16,000 / item
French Empire Chandelier with Opaline Glass 16 Lights
Located in New York, NY
1930’s French Empire chandelier with swans, cherubs and lions. Opaline glass inset. 16 lights
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabras Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of 19th-Century French Empire gilded bronze three arm light wall sconces, circa 1850-1870. These beautiful sconces have a lovely gilt patina with foliate and floral d...
Bronze
Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Crystal, Brass
Czech Empire-Style Dome Chandelier, Crystal & Brass, Vintage 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This absolutely adorable Czech crystal beaded Empire-style dome chandelier pendant from circa the 1950s consists of strands of crystal cut balls sizing from small to big. Ballroom st...
Crystal, Brass
Empire Style Bouillote Lamp, Bronze & Gold Leaf, French Antique, 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu candelabra lamps. Each three arm candelabra mounted into a lamp is raised on a square O...
Bronze, Ormolu
Elegant Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s A refined pair of table lamps crafted from original early 19th-century French Empire candlesticks in bronze, now elegantly converted ...
Bronze
French Empire Style Crystal and Brass Sconce Wall Light, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable Empire-style sconce features a brass frame draped with crystal glass beading on the top level and three tiers of crystal glass pendants on the bottom. Two interior ligh...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
$113,950Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental Pair of Italian Empire Gilt Bronze Candleholders or Floor Lamps, 1800
Located in Rome, IT
Impressive pair of Italian Empire finely chiseled ormolu Flambeaux, on triform base, each with 25 scrolled gilt-bronze candle arms. Attributed to Luigi Manfredini the famous bronze a...
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-chiseled details. The backplate of this sconce is a central round plate wit...
Bronze
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$523Sale Price|30% Off
French Empire Style Brass Triple Bouillotte Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
A Stiffel sryle brass triple bouillotte table lamp featuring a dark green shade Style: Regency/French Empire, featuring a candlestick column design on a tripartite base. Features: In...
Brass
$2,450 / set
Frederick Cooper Figural Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Empire style Frederick Cooper lamps featuring a striking figural bronze female sculpture on top of an intricately carved base. Includes original silk shades with corded edgin...
Bronze
French Empire Figural Swan Chandelier in Bronze
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs. Rare French Empire style bronze tole chandelier...
Bronze
$8,972Sale Price / item|20% Off
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal
$1,186Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair French Empire Brass, Ebonized & Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of French Empire Brass, Ebonized and Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamps Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and 33" in height to the top of the finial and 26" to the top of the li...
Brass