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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
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and iron pendant with six candle arms. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Iron

1920 European Antique Empire style Cut/ Beaded Cascading Crystal Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1920's Euro Antique Cut and Beaded Cascading Flow of Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant. This piece is lovely!
Category

1920s Czech Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Arm Bouillotte Lamps or Table Lamps, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Empire gilded bronze finely chiseled Bouillotte lamps with dark green painted tole adjustable shade. Two E 14 light bulbs. We can deliver wired for US standard.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Empire Antique Chandelier Gilt Bronze and Oxidized 9 light early 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Fine chandelier with flame decoration at center top of amphora shape body. Weapons technology oxidation finish combined with dore bronze of finest quality – just gorgeous creature of...
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, 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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

19thc British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Lantern style Pendant/ Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1890 British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Bag and Tent style Chandelier/ Pendant Ceiling Fixture. I purchased this fixture along with some other beautiful British fixtures from a ...
Category

1890s English Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (circa 1810) gilt bronze and cut glass chandelier with cut crystal strands emanating from a gilt bronze center ring with 8 arms.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Empire style Brass Column Lamp with an Eagle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly decorative French empire style lamp likely made in the early 20thC. The polished brass column was likely the stem of a candelabra which was later embellished with an eagle ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1972 Chapman Brass and Black Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in San Carlos, CA
A stunning 1972 Chapman bouillotte-style table lamp, featuring elegant brass construction with classic black enamel accents. The lamp showcases twin adjustable candle-form columns, e...
Category

1970s American Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

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...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Lamp - Cassolette - Oil lamp - Empire style - Bronze - 19th France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent late 19th century mantelpiece set, mounted as a lamp. This beautiful Athenian-style cassolette is made of chased and gilded bronze and brass with a brown patina. The cent...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Brass

French Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Heavy 19th century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Two Candelabra Lamp with Black Tole Shade. Shade is decorated with gilt wreaths that add contrast nicely with the black shade. Gilt f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Vintage French Bronze Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant vintage French bronze and brass Empire style Bouillotte table lamp with a metal shade. Measures: Height 20.5" in. (52 cm), diameter 15" in. (38 cm). Lighting: takes one l...
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Elegant Empire Style Gilt & Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamp
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Ornate and elegant Empire style table lamp having patinated bronze figural goddess form with marblized base.
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Wall Sconces Bronze Empire Style, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Solid brass or brass wall lamp Empire style with two arms. This wall sconces Empire style white rigid appearance, solid and basic geometric shapes. Decorated with acanthus leaves ...
Category

Early 20th Century French 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

19th Century Empire Chandelier
19th Century Empire Chandelier
$6,631 Sale Price
26% Off
1930's French Empire Silver Plated Chandelier with 6 lights
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French silver plated finish empire style chandelier with 6 lights
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Bronze French Empire Style Candelabra Lamps/ Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of cast bronze French Empire column form candelabras with 6 lights, now mounted as double socket lamps. The lamps with gilded columns and foliate and anthemion capitals, fluted ...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Vintage Waterford Kinsale Crystal Glass Column Brass Empire Style Floor Lamps -
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S shipping quote. Vintage Waterford Kinsale Crystal Glass Column Brass Empire Style Floor Lamps - a Pair...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890. The lamp ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Brass Empire Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire brass sconce of classic French design. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophisticated when its off. Professionally cleaned...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights. This chandelier is charact...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

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.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

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
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Style Polished Brown Marble Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Polished Brown Marble Urn Form Table Lamps with Beautiful Veins - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H (to finial) x 22" H (to light socke...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble

Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French Empire neoclassical gilt and patina bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular corona decorated with a continuous band of gilt laurel leaves...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Cut Crystal Spear Empire Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
This chandelier is truly stunning, with its sparkling, leaded glass cut crystals. An Empire-style crystal chandelier in the form of a tent with a ring structure adorned with outward-...
Category

20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

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...
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

A Pair Of Early C20th Italian Giltwood & Toleware Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
A Fine Pair of Italian Giltwood and Toleware Wall Sconces from the Early 20th Century in the Empire Style. The sconces are adorned with delicate ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Stunning 16-Light Murano Crystal Chandelier, circa 1920s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A wonderful very large sixteen light Murano glass and cut crystal silvered chandelier, Italy, circa 1920s. This beautiful handcrafted fixture is made of silvered brass elements, Mur...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Antique Chandelier. Empire style chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and rare Empire style chandelier with elaborate gilt bronze frame and crystal pyramids and pendalogues. France, circa 1900. Dimensions: Height 58" Diameter 34"
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Vintage French Empire Brass & Crystal Glass Column "Oil Lamp" Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass & Crystal Glass Column "Oil Lamp Style" Table Lamps by Wilmar - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 36" H (to finial) x 30" H (to light so...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Antique French Empire Silver Plated Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire English Silver Plated Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp w/ Marble Insert, Stepped Base and Wreath Design. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 35" H (t...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Silver Plate

Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A splendid Empire-style sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s. Gilt brass frame adorned with crystal glass beads and prisms, three interior lights for E14 size light bulbs. Dimensions: Hei...
Category

1960s German Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Brass

French Empire Brass Art Deco Shell Desk Table Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
1920s Empire French brass table desk lamp Nickel Art Deco shell shade with heavy brass base Brass base. Black cotton wire and plug. Also, available with US/UK plug Weight: 1.00 kg...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Antique French Empire Style Figural Black & Gold Tall Column Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Figural Black & Gold Tall Column Form Table Lamps with Figural Ormolu on all Sides of the Bases (Harps, Maidens, and Soldiers) - a Pair. Circa Early 20th ...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, 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 ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Antique 19th Century French Empire Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Chandelier Ca. 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu, Circa 1880-1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Vintage Napoleonic Column Table Lamps French Rosewood Gold Gilded Bronze, a Pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage Napoleonic gold gilded brass and faux rosewood column table lamps With gold/bronze matching lampshades ( new condition ) Style: Empire, Regency, Neo classical, Napoleonic, Vintage, Antique Design: In the manner of Caldwell, Chapman manufacturng company, Stiffel Origin: France, 1980s Description: Vintage Napoleonic style tabl lamps. Made faux rosewood ( patinated metal) and brass Tuscan capitals. The lampshades are handmade and in ew condition. Condition: The lamps are in a good condition,one lamp have minor wear on the back ( see pics) socket E27, 230 volt and max 60w, black wired with switch. The lamps are US compatible but a adapter for plug is required Create the right ambience, good well positioned lighting can make a room! All our lamps are fully working condition, however, we are shipping from Europe...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Empire Style French Antique Lamp
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...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

Pair Of French Empire Bronze and Faux Marble Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Empire bronze and faux marble paint on wood bases. Each have two light. Base paint probably later enhanced.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

20th Century American Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Empire style bronze chandelier with Royal Eagle heads and flame. This chandelier
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice 6 arms Empire style chandelier is made of chiseled bronze with Royal Eagle heads around a center flame. This is a French work. Circa 1900
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Italian Empire Vase Applique in Gilded Carved Wood Circa 1780
Located in Milano, MI
Gilded Empire Applique Lamp Late 1700s obtained from a carved wooden palm vase gilded in fine gold, converted into a wall sconce for use as a wall lamp. In the back of this lamp one ...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Antique Bronze Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique bronze chandelier, from 1950's with non-electrified with 24 candle holder chandelier was in Ex-Vice-president Dan Quayle office in ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Antique Bronze Chandelier
French Antique Bronze Chandelier
$46,400 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Style Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire style light chandelier with blue painted dish having Empire style cast bronze mounts and detailed cast bronze charioteers, suspended ...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sedgefield by Adams French Empire Style Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to finial) x 14" H (to light so...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal

Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Desk Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 12" H (to light socket) x 13" W x 9....
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

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

Vintage 3 Arm Brass & Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique French Napoleonic tole lamp has gold toned brass base and arms. Arms have ornate s curve structures. Each arm has candlestick style bulb socket at ends. Top of lamp has eagle...
Category

20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones. Illuminated by six lights. Beautiful and very ele...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Gold, Brass

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5"...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Empire Style Gilded Bronze and Crystals Chandelier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and refined italian Empire style late 19th century chandelier with ten lights of which six on the outer circumference and four that illuminate the interior, called a hot-ai...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Cut Glass Dish Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Empire style pendant light with a cast glass dish and bronze decorative frame. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the Waldorf Astoria. This requires three stan...
Category

20th Century 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.

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