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
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
$3,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair 19thc French Empire Carved and Gilt Wood Wall Sconces - Unelectrified
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Empire Carved Wood Wall Sconces. Highly detailed, beautifully carved. French estate.
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
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
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces
Circa 1830
Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1940s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
19th Century French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Crystal Eleven Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique French 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut crystal eleven light chandelier
19th Century
Height: 34 inches
Diameter: 22.5 inches
Superbly detailed gilded bronze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Hanging Chandelier Pendant
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style chandelier pendant with cast glass dish and bronze details. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel...
Category
20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Steel
Ten-Light Crystal Chandelier / Gilt Brass Frame
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 19th century French Empire style tear drop cut crystal / brass frame twelve light hanging chandelier. The chandelier is in great working condition. Rewired for US used. no speci...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Italian Empire Style Crystal and Black Iron Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
Italian crystal chandelier with Empire style drop-shaped iron structure, eight curved arms ending with eight crystal bobeches. The upper part of the iron structure is originally deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
French 19th Century Double Arm Empire Brass Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite Empire brass sconce of classic French design, using two arms for candelabra-base bulbs. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophisticated w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Table lamp, Koi fish, hand carved and painted wood, mid-1900s.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare early 1900s hand carved and painted table lamp in the shape of koi fish. Sweden, empire-style. A beautiful, decorative interior gem.
Shade not included. Re-wired. Smaller sign...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
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
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
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Big Crystal Beaded Empire Dome Chandelier circa 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
I have two similar, if interested. Housing one light, will be rewired and ready to hang. We use certified UL US sockets and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Strands and ...
Category
Early 1900s Czech Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Vintage French Empire Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
By Sedgefield
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
Robert Abbey Templeton Bronze Trophy Urn Table Lamp Empire Shade Light
By Robert Abbey
Located in Dayton, OH
Templeton 7102G urn table lamp, way buddha bronze with golden beige cast metal empire shade with matching soutache - Robert Abbey
Measures: 10.5” x 24...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$350 Sale Price
30% 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
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
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 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
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly rewire...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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 Empire Style Seven-Light Bronze, Brass and Glass Chandelier, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful French Empire-style chandelier features six bronze swan arms. Dark green painted body with decorative bronze mounts and richly ornate pine finial, on top centered with...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Brass
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...
Category
20th Century French 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
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
Pair of Large Italian Empire Crystal and Gilt Tole Chandeliers
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Large Italian Empire crystal and gilt tole chandeliers, circa 1815-1835. Gilt tole repousse rings strung with crystal beads and pendants. Six gilt-iron arms – each supporting...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
1930's French Empire Lion and Swans Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire bronze sconces with swans and lions head backplate.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
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
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...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Style Gilt-Brass and Glass Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features an Empire style Gilt-brass and cut-glass chandelier that houses five candlestick lights and is approximately 18" in diameter and 29" tall. This chandelier is ac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Eighteen-Light Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
Spectacular French early 19th century bronze and ormolu chandelier, the 12 scrolling arms molded with leaves and interspersed with six ad...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Crystal and Bonze Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a rock crystal and brass chandelier with 24 lights. A larger size chandelier that is approx. 47" in height and 37.5" in width.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Rock Crystal, Brass
$26,500
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 25" H (to finial) x 17" H (to light socket) x 13" W x 13" D. {3-Way (N...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Sublime 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime French Empire chandelier.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Tôle
Swedish Cast Iron Urn Norrahammar No 5
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare garden urn marked Norrahammar No 5 in cast iron, 19th century.
Condition: Good original condition with heavy patina.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze.
This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps.
Originates France, circa 1870.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,137 Sale Price / set
28% Off
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
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco 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...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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. Richly decorated with period Empire decorations.
Newly rewired electricity.
Wear c...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$3,950 Sale Price
31% Off
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very stylish 19th century Empire style 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilt bronze, lit by three curvaceous 'swans head' arms and topped with a green lacquered metal (tole) shade adorne...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early Blue Hand Painted Toleware Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Sheet Metal
$516 Sale Price
21% Off
Early 19th Century Pair of Gold Wall Mirrors Candle Holders
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Pair of Empire Candle Sconce Wall Mirrors featuring carved harps as well as trompets. These wall mounted candle holders make a great addition to any living room, bedroom, ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood, Paint
Wonderful Bronze Dolphin & Swan Green Tole Large Bouillotte Empire Regency Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Bronze Dolphin & Swan 4 Candelabra Light Painted Green Tole Metal Shade Large Bouillotte Empire / Regency Style Lamp
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Pair Empire Style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very fine quality Empire style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps. 16 inch height to top of sockets.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's French Empire Single Light Swan Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light sconces with Swan’s head
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,800 / set
19th Century Pair French Blue Opaline Glass Lamps
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair French Blue Opaline Glass Lamps
Beautiful Lamps purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Opaline Glass
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 25.5 H (to light socket) x 5" W x 5" D. {3-...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Glass
Pair Palatial Bronze and Steel French Empire Style Torchieres Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of palatial vintage torchiere floor lamps in the French empire style, finely crafted from gilt and patinated bronze and steel. Each with a circular shallow dish-form basin fitt...
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Large Gilt Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
A large very well cast and gilt bronze chandelier or plafonnier from the late 19th to early 20th century. The large acanthus leafed ceiling rose suspending five rope twist bars, whic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Style Candlestick Candelabra Brass Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Candlestick Candelabra Brass Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features 3 candleholders each, figural bases, and a distressed white painted finish. Circa Mid 20t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
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
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn Form Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This detailed bronze urn form lamp features gilt bronze highlights including lepard head handles, and acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique 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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