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
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 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconce
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A precious gilt bronze two-light wall sconce in the Empire style, France, 1920-1929. Finely elaborate with hand chiseled details. Typical design of French Empire period due to its rich ornamentation with faces and acanthus leaf motifs. The bottom is characterized by a man head supporting a pedestal with the lamp-arms. Two scroll light...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Chandelier having Ten Lights, Dore Bronze, Neoclassical
Located in Manhasset, NY
19th Century Neoclassical Dore Bronze and Crystal Chandelier having 10 Lighted Arms
An exquisite neoclassical chandelier featuring a beautifully cut crystal bowl at its center, grac...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Sublime 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime French Empire chandelier.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Tôle
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
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light.
Dimensions :
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Ceramic and Gilt Metal Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of antique French ceramic and gilt metal table lamps. They were made in France, they date from around the 1950’s.
They are of superb quality and are an impressive si...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair Empire Malachite Gilt Torcheres Floor Lamps 8 Ft
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an incredible pair of large Empire style floor lamps or torchieres
Hand crafted from gilt and faux malachite
The faux malachite is painted porcelain which looks very...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Paint
Pair French Empire Style Arrow Horn Wall Sconces
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...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$1,695 / set
Low Huge Flush Mount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier: Tailored Empire Elegance
Introducing our new Montgolfière style chandelier, a magnificent embodiment of Empire splendor adorned with exquisite lead cr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$14,415 Sale Price / item
40% Off
Monumental Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Austrian crystal chandelier with a solid bronze frame and faceted crystal, circa 1930s or older. This chandelier is perfect for large spaces, entryways, and hallways. A unique waterf...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
Pair Of Empire Style Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Lampshade diameter 17 inches. Relatively modern nice quality in the French empire style.
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,500 / set
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Cut Crystal and Ormolu Chandelier.
By Baccarat
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Finest Cut Crystal and Ormolu Chandelier.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, 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 Rouge Marble and Gilt Bronze Lamps
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of rouge marble and gilt bronze baluster shaped oil lamps, later fitted for electricity, the necks and bodies decorated with gilt bronze banding and garlands and accented with l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$14,000 / set
Pair Montgolfièr Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Ceiling Lamp 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...
Category
2010s European Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
$19,221 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Lampadario Impero Italiano Dorato con Putti Seconda Metà XX Secolo
Located in Milano, MI
Lampadario Italiano in Stile Impero con Putti alati realizzato in bronzo dorato con fusioni ben cesellate e con una doratura di qualità. Il lampadarario è italiano ed è databile into...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
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!
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
New Art Deco Crystal Style Chandelier: Custom Empire Elegance
Introducing our latest addition, the Art Deco crystal style chandelier, a captivating fusion of Empire opulence and the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Wire
$4,009 Sale Price / item
24% Off
20th Century French Empire 5 Light Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful 19th century French Empire style chandelier with 5 lights. Beautiful decorative detail on the base and arms.
A classic fixture that is sure to impress!!
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French Empire Gilt Cast Bronze 5 Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style chandelier made of bronze with a gilt finish. It has multiple arms extending from a central foliate motif, each holding an exposed light bulb, and is suspended by...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Baloon Chandelier, France Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
French Empire Style Chandelier, France Early 20th Century.
Small French balloon chandelier, in gilded and chiseled bronze with Empire palmet...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
$1,081 Sale Price
25% Off
Elegant brass table lamp in the form of an amphora urn, late 19th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant brass table lamp in the form of an amphora urn, from the late 19th century
Striking and elegant table lamp in polished brass, shaped as a classical amphora urn with sweepin...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Elegant French Empire Table Lamp in Patinated and Gilded Bronze, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Table Lamp in Patinated and Gilded Bronze, 1820s
Elegant French Empire table lamp crafted in patinated and mercury-gilded bronze, dating from the 1820s. Originally pa...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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
Antique Empire Bronze Column Table Lamp, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th century Empire brass column table lamp
Additional information:
Materials: Brass
Color: Gold
Period: early 19th century
Styles: Empire
Lamp Shade: Not Included
...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Bouillotte Lamp with Green Tole Shade
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French Empire etched brass bouillotte lamp, originally and oil lamp that has been electrified. With three arms below a green painted adjustable tole shade, the body an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Empire Bronze Figural Swan Chandelier
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...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
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
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Giltwood Candlesticks or Prickets
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of giltwood French Empire period prickets or candlesticks was originally used on the altar of a church. They were hand-carved and exquisitely gilded on only one side as a m...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
French Sèvres Style Bronze-Mounted Cobalt Blue Hand Painted Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A large French Sèvres style gilt bronze ormolu-mounted cobalt blue hand painted porcelain urn table lamp, first half of the 20th century. Bronze figurine handles, front side with han...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
c1910 French Empire Gilt Metal Framed Cut Cascading Crystal Form Basket Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1910 Pair of French Empire style Gilt Metal Wall Sconces. In the cascading crystal to form tent bottom - that is this style. Bronzse framed Rair pair.
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$1,072 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Fine French Empire 19th Century Bronze Candelabras Mounted as Lamps, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Fine French Empire 19th Century Bronze Candelabras Mounted as Lamps, Pair
A pair of fine French 19th century Empire bronze candelabras that have been electrified and converted to ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$3,750 Sale Price / set
53% Off
Italian Completely Beaded Basket Crystal Prisms Silver Chandelier, c 1940
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing four lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning crystal prisms on top and in bottom. This chandelier has two width...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Late 19th Century Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century Empire 8 lights chandelier it’s unusual bronze fittings, from Waldorf Hotel in NYC
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This chandelier is a French Empire eight-light fixture made in 19th century from patinated and gilt bronze. The design features classical elements from the Empire period, including ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
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
19thc French Empire Green Art Glass Lantern Intricately Patterned
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire Intricately Patterned Green Art Glass Lantern with Bronze Element. Lovely antique lantern which will arrive newly electrified and with 15 inches of chain and ceil...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Art Glass
$976 Sale Price
20% Off
Rarity Pair Low Plafonnier Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Lustre Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Presenting a pair of exquisite basket chandeliers, designed to complement each other perfectly. Both chandeliers have been thoughtfully restored and revitalized to their original gra...
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Pair of Antique French Empire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These fine and large French candelabra date from the Empire period of the 19th century and beautifully contrast the different finishes of gilt ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Chandelier with Frosted Glass Flame
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire style chandelier with gilt bronze arms, neoclassical mounts, ornate chain and canopy. The central body is dark green painted wood, surmounted with a frosted glass flame...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Empire Period 5 light Figural Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
A pair of early 19th century French gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural empire period five lights candelabra. Each candelabrum is formed as a ormolu cornucopia of scrolled branc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Bronze Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large bronze French Empire style lantern.
Category
20th Century Spanish Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Gilded Crystal 18 Light French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Empire style gilded bronze chandelier with 18 lights. This has been newly restored and rewired and is ready to ship. This was retrieved from an estate located in Green...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Corinthian Column Marble Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style Corinthian column table lamp in marble. A decorative carved spiral, twists around the marble column, which is topped and tailed with a brass capital...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique French Empire Bronze Green Candlestick Column Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Wreath Ormolu Dark Green Bouillotte Table Lamp with Dark Green Paper Shade (Not metal). Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 22.5" H (to finial). Base...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$115,336 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu and bronze chandelier
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 100cm, diameter 64cm
This chandelier is a beauti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Czech Crystal Beaded Empire Style Dome Chandelier
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...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of French Empire Period Four Light Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
This Hommage a Egypte pair were made at the time of Napoleon's unsuccessful foray into Egypt. The shaped bases, winged feet and triangular columns are surely inspired by the campaig...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s French Empire Giltwood Arrow Wall Lights
Located in Hastings, GB
Wonderful pair of 1920's French Empire style wall lights, in giltwood and gilt iron, each light with three small screw in (e14) lap holders. Fully rewired and tested and ready to use...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Iron
$1,566 / set
Empire-Style, Antique, Carved Gilt Wood Chandelier with Six Arms.
Located in Houston, TX
Antique bois dore, carved gilt wood chandelier from France, circa 1890. Empire in the Neoclassical style. Masterfully hand-carved with a torch flame f...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
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 of Empire/ Charles X Gilt and Patinated Bronze Four-Light Wall Appliques
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Empire/ Charles X Gilt and Patinated Bronze Four-Light Wall Appliques or Sconces
A pair of Empire/ Charles X four-branch ormolu/gilt and patinated bronze wall lights “à la c...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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
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 ...
Category
2010s Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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.