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 Brass Wall Sconces, Arrow Horn Motif, 1920s
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Antique French Empire style brass horn and arrow motif wall sconces. Each with 2 candelabra size lights with black and gold clip on shades. Newly wired, added are 5" round ba...
Brass
Italian Genovese Empire Chandelier 1780 in Gilded Wood and Crystal Twelve Lights
Located in Milano, MI
Extraordinary Genovese Chandelier circa 1780 with Twelve Lights with transparent and blue crystals. Large Empire chandelier in Sculpted and Gilded Wood from the late 18th century, li...
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Elegant Early 20th Century Empire-Style Crystal Beaded Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This refined Empire-style chandelier exudes understated opulence with its graceful silhouette and cascading strands of faceted crystal beads. Likely of French or Northern European or...
Crystal, Metal
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
Empire Style Beaded Crystal Basket Chandelier, Late 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A late 20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a classical circular brass structure and three E27 lights inside.Light bulbs can be replaced unscrewing the bro...
Crystal, Bronze
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
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...
Bronze
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Chandelier, Circa 1875-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Chandelier, Circa 1875-1890.
Bronze
$25,995Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Bronze
$6,497Sale 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
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Chandelier, 1920's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Charming French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1920s. This lovely piece has an ornate bronze frame hung with prisms of crystal glass. The crystal glass pr...
Crystal, Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Green Tole Three Light Table Lamp.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Green Tole Three Light Table Lamp. Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three swan decorated scrolled arms. A finely chise...
Metal, Bronze
$25,065Sale 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
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
French Crystal Rare Oval Prisms Bronze Empire Sconces, circa 1850
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be newly rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze with great detail and patina...
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
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Wood
Marjorie Skouras Samantha Empire Chandelier Turquoise + Quartz
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A spectacular Marjorie Skouras Design "Samantha" Empire Chandelier featuring Catalina white turquoise and pink rose quartz. The piece is constructed in a classical French Empire-style basket silhouette out of luminous white polished turquoise bead strands...
Stone, Iron
Sublime 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime French Empire chandelier.
Tôle
Beautiful tablelamp originally a Empire Candlestick i bronze. From 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Table Lamp, originally a Empire Candlestick i Bronze from France during the 1820s. Newly rewired electricity New lampshades in black lacquer with gilding on the inside t...
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
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Regency Bronze Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical / Regency bronze and graduating crystal basket form chandelier with medusa heads and six candelabra sockets around the outer frame and a beau...
Crystal, Bronze
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
$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
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
ONE OF A KIND!! Housing 4 lights, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the Unites States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind...
Crystal
A Pair Of Gilt Brass French Bouliotte Style Candle Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of Mid 20th century Gilt Brass Bouliotte style table lamps with new grey fabric shades. The circular plinth base with reeded stem supporting two tall candle style arms. Circul...
Brass
Putti Face Empire Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Restored Crystal Chandelier – Handcrafted Elegance We are offering a unique, fully restored chandelier in excellent condition: Completely restored, including fully renewed wiring Ha...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French 19th Century Double Arm Empire Brass Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A two-arm Empire brass wall sconce of French design, 19th century. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophisticated when it's off. The narrow diamo...
Metal, Brass
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
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier. Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Bronze
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl 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, Wire
$1,353Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Italian Bronze and Cammeo Appliques from the 1800s
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of bronze appliques made in the 1800s, each of which has a pair of original hand-sculpted cameos with different scenes / views Both lights come with wiring and wiring, which ...
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
1900's French Empire Sconces With Swans three lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900's French empire style bronze sconces with swans and three lights
Bronze
19th Century Ormolu and Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century directoire bouillotte table lamp. Lamp features original elements and original black tole lampshade with gilt brass leaf applied detailing. Newly rewired with side ...
Bronze, Tôle, Brass
Putti Empire Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant Vintage Chandelier with Charming Putti – Lovingly Restored in Berlin This stunning chandelier is a true masterpiece, combining timeless elegance with delightful details. Fea...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$6,800 / set
Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very nice cut crystal table lamps with bronze fittings, French Empire style. newly UL rewired
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful Pair French Empire Dore Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Column Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Empire Dore Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Column Form Lamps With Black Paper Shades
Bronze
$128,263 / set
German Empire Period Seven-Piece Silver Candelabra Set
Located in London, GB
German empire period seven-piece silver candelabra set German, circa 1810 Meaures: Largest: Height 66.5cm, diameter 30cm Smallest: Height 51cm, width ...
Silver
French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Steel Figural Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and steel figural chandelier of refined execution. The chandelier features a circular steel dish-shaped body richly mounted with gilt bronze ...
Bronze, Steel
$3,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps. Pair of elegant antique French Empire bronze four light candelabras converted to table lamps. The outstandi...
Bronze, Ormolu
Swedish Empire Cut Crystal and Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
With a five outscrolled electrified candlearms issuing from a bronze ring hung with crystal beaded swags and drop pendants, hung from four chains suspended from a disc issuing arched cut glass pendants; with canopy...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style brass and crystal glass basket chandelier. Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has an or...
Metal, Brass
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
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
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier with Winged Figures - Italy, Early 19th
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Monumental chandelier featuring a sculptural central body decorated with winged female figures in the round, inspired by classical and mythological iconography typical of the Empire ...
Bronze
$8,702Sale 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
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 French Empire Style Brass 2-Arm Sconces, early 20th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having fluted backplates with acanthus leaf details and flames at tops, the backplates issuing two arms with female masks
Brass
Italian Empire Style Chandelier with Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This refined 1950s Italian Empire-style chandelier features a beautifully tapered basket design crafted in gilded brass and adorned with high-quality Bohemian crystal. The upper sect...
Crystal, Brass
19th Century French Empire Style 24-Light Gilt Bronze / Patinated Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with grandeur using this extraordinary 19th Century French Empire Style Chandelier. Crafted from two imposing circular charcoal-patinated balusters suspended by...
Metal, 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...
Crystal
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
Italian Late Empire Carved and Gilded Chandelier with Cut Glass Prisms
Located in Kastrup, DK
Italian Late Empire chandelier, carved in wood, richly decorated and water-gilded, adorned with cut glass prisms. The central section features classical Empire motifs, including aca...
Brass
French Empire Brass Bouillotte Table Lamp with Green Shade, Three Arms
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) brass 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green shade. Arrow finial is missing
Brass
French Empire Bouillotte Lamp, Silvered Bronze, Circa 1905
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a French Empire bouillotte lamp made of silvered bronze. The circular base supports four decorative candle arms with nozzles; ...
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Tole Bouillotte Candlestick Lamp from France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1860s French Bouillotte lamp featuring three candlesticks with brackets and a golden taupe tole shade accented by a decorative teal floral border. Bouillotte is a gambling card ...
Metal
Antique French Empire Style Brown Painted Metal and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style brown painted metal and gilt bronze chandelier. French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 60cm, diameter 67cm This unusual chandelier is crafted f...
Metal, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Cobalt Blue Porcelain Figural Gilt Bronze Urn Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Deep Cobalt Blue Figural Gilt Bronze Porcelain Urn Form Table Lamp with Lion Head Rings. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 31" H (to finial) x 23" H (to li...
Bronze