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
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
Empire Style Nine Light Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire style chandeliers tend to be quite hefty and large, This bronze example is unusually delicate. The dished circular pan is hung from three flat pierced suspension chains, and s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
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
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: ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold 2
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac-a-Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with mesmerizing crystals, evoking the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new re...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
$9,413 Sale Price / item
20% Off
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
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
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Onyx, Brass
French Napoleonic Table Lamps Tartan Tripod Base Lion Paws Empire Lamps a Pair
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...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
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
18th Century Italian Empire Style Repousse and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional 18th century Italian Empire style Brass and crystal basket style chandelier. Featuring glistening crystals and a repousse' Greek key design around the base. Stunning!!
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$1,828 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Italian Empire Rock Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 18th century Italian Empire style rock crystal basket style chandelier with 6 lights. A classic style for a beautiful home!
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal
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
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 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 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
Rare Fine Quality Brass and Iron Lyre Form French Empire Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Illuminate your space with the grandeur of this rare and exquisite French Empire chandelier, crafted in a striking lyre form design. This fine quality chandelier combines brass and i...
Category
1880s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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
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
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
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
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
$1,093 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style bouillotte table lamp with decorative three-light cast brass candleholders and adjustable height red tôle shade. New candle covers. Wired and in working order. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Tôle
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
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
Set of Four Empire Style Wall lights Laudarte Grifone
Located in London, GB
Magnificent set of four empire style wall Sconces
24 crt gilt finish
Malachite inset
Designed by Giovanni Maria Ma
These wall lights are fully Restored and Rewired
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Other
$3,713 Sale Price / set
30% Off
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
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
Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column Six Light Chandelier
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian column six light chandelier
Priced each
Additional information:
Materials: Lights
Color: Black
Pe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each stunning candlestick mounted into a lamp is raised on four Ormolu lion paws below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
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
1940s French Empire / Neo-Classical Style Tole Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are beautiful! These hand painted tole lamps are French. They are in very good condition and are signed. The base and body display many elements of the French Empire period. T...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
$1,700 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
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
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
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
$46,400 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
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
$6,656 Sale Price
26% Off
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
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
Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa
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 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 French Empire Brass & Italian Black Marble Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Italian Black Marble & Polished Brass Column Table Lamps With Black Textured Shades - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
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
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
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, Dombrowski Fabricant Rue St. Honoré 343 a Paris, Circa 1830s
A magnificent pair of French Empire Ormolu and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
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
$6,181 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - Pair
By Stiffel
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
$3,803 Sale Price
20% Off
20th Century French Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century French Crystal Chandelier. Empire style bronze and crystal chandelier with new wiring. 4 lights
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$6,650 / item
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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