From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Antique French Empire Cobalt Blue Porcelain Figural Gilt Bronze Urn Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Deep Cobalt Blue Figural Gilt Bronze Porcelain Urn Form Table Lamp with Lion Head Rings. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 31" H (to finial) x 23" H (to li...
Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Bronze
Vintage Pair Of Wall Lights, Circa 1960 in Chiseled and Gilded Bronze, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An elegant Pair Of Louis XVI style Wall Lights Circa 1960 in finely chiseled and gilded bronze with two light arms. Fake opaline candles. Manufactured in France, 1960s. They're op...
Bronze
Sage Green French Empire Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style table lamp in sage green. A round central column is topped with an acanthus pressed brass capital beneath a matching sage green lampshade. The column sits above...
Brass
Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandeliers
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandeliers exudes elegance and sophistication, perfect for adding a touch of luxury to any room. The chandeliers fea...
Crystal, Bronze
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Bronze, Steel
Table Lamp In Empire Style, Europe, Second Half of 19th Century
Located in Rīga, LV
Table lamp in Empire style, Europe, second half of 19th Century Additional Information: Materials: Bronze Vintage from the 19th century Style: Empire Lamp Shade Material: Fabr...
Bronze
Small Brass and Enamel Empire Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add timeless elegance to your home with this stunning vintage French Empire-style chandelier. Featuring six gracefully curved arms, ornate gilt bronze detailing, and beautiful turquo...
Brass, Enamel
$6,800 / item
1930's French Empire Style Scalloped Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style chandelier with unusual scalloped shaped and crystal hangings
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Very period design. Newl...
Bronze
Antique French Chandelier, Cut Crystal & Brass, Empire Style, 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Antique chandelier from France made with cut crystal elements of cabochons and pendants. They are displayed on a brass structure. It has been newly wired to fit US standards and is i...
Crystal, Brass
A Pair Of Very Large Gilt French Torchiere Hand Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
A pair of huge Giltwood carved torchiere wall lights with opaque glass flame shades. Converted for electric, finished very well with bronze mounted shade holders. The large torchiere...
Giltwood
Rare French Blue Opaline Glass Lamp Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of rare French Opaline Glass lamps. Each lam features an elegant urn shaped silhouette with a smooth, high gloss finish that beautifully reflects light. The bases and...
Gold Leaf
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...
Bronze
Empire Form Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire chandelier, its circular frame of gilt metal, holding the opera basket bottom, finished by a ball drop, having eight S-scroll arms, each decorated with a leaf, ending i...
Crystal, Iron
Vintage Empire Style Brass Bouillotte Table Lamp, Hand-Painted Tôle Shade
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Elegant vintage French Empire-style bouillotte lamp with polished brass base, three candle lights, and teal crackle-finish metal tôle shade with gilt laurel decoration. This strikin...
Metal, Brass
French Empire Style Frosted Glass Hanging Lamp with Gilt Bronze and Crystal Pris
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful and decorative French glass hanging lamp executed in the Empire style, circa 1850 The lamp features an elegant frosted glass bowl engraved with delicate star motifs and a c...
Bronze
$4,800 / set
1920s Caldwell Bronze Medusa Head Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s sconces with medusa head and arrow design. Two lights
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Bronze Table Lamp with Ebonized Wood Base
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century Empire style cast bronze table lamp with new linen shade, converted from gas to electric. This substantial Neoclassical fixture has a Greco-Roman female figure fo...
Metal, Bronze
$3,842Sale Price|50% Off
Italian 1950s Empire Silvered Swooping Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful Empire style Italian chandelier in the style of Buccellati. Rewired. 12 Light sources. Candelabra sockets. Rewired. 23” is the body. The chain can be adjusted to your nee...
Silver, Bronze, Enamel
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 ...
Crystal
French Empire Style Brass Triple Bouillotte Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
A Stiffel sryle brass triple bouillotte table lamp featuring a dark green shade Style: Regency/French Empire, featuring a candlestick column design on a tripartite base. Features: In...
Brass
$34,700
Antique Russian Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and superbly detailed gilt bronze and crystal chandelier for candles, can be electrified.
Crystal, Bronze
$2,800 / set
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
Bronze
$704Sale Price / set|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.
Wood
Exceptional French Empire Brass Table Lamp, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Exceptional French Empire Brass Table Lamp, 1820s An outstanding French Empire brass table lamp, circa 1820–30, originally designed as an oil...
Brass
French Sèvres-Style Empire Porcelain Table Lamp with Faux Wax Candle Shaft, 22"H
Located in New York, NY
An elegant French Sèvres porcelain table lamp, richly decorated in a deep emerald green glaze with finely hand-painted gilt ornament...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$2,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,667Sale Price / item|20% Off
French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Candelabra with Original Tole Shade
Located in Antwerp, BE
An original French Bouillotte candelabra dating from the mid-19th century, executed in gilt bronze and retaining its original hand-painted green tole shade. Originally designed for c...
Brass, Bronze, Tôle
Pair Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Classical Empire gilt and patinated bronze lamps depicting beautiful maidens in flowing Grecian garb, balancing fine gilt bronze candle holders on their heads and standing on dark gr...
Slate, Bronze
French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style table lamps made by Stiffel. Brass columns are turned with large ceramic fonts in white trimmed in gold. Bases are decorated with dentils on a square ba...
Brass
French Crystal Prisms Balls Empire Sconces, circa 1930 Sparklers
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze top, middle and bottom with great ...
Crystal, Bronze
Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks. With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns. The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Bronze
$5,800 / set
1930's French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with Ram's heads.
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...
Bronze, 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...
Brass
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental French Bronze and Alabaster Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This monumental French bronze and alabaster Empire style chandelier is a breathtaking statement of grandeur, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. Featuring a finely carved alabaster...
Alabaster, Bronze
$3,872Sale Price / item|24% Off
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...
Crystal, Wire
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 ...
Bronze
1920 French Empire Small Chandelier with Swam Heads 6 Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920’s French Empire style small chandelier with swam’s heads. Original unique chains. 6 lights. Green body color
Bronze
Scarce French Empire Period Opaline Glass Brass Candlestick Table Lamp Pair
Located in Forney, TX
Elegant sophistication at its finest, we present this exceptionally rare pair of early 19th century fine quality French Empire Period candlestick lamps. The original antique table lamps complete, with clear and frosted glass lotus hurricane shades, patinated gilt bronze leaf decorative accents, inner spring-loaded brass column candle tubes, within white opaline glass stems, resting on beautifully patinated brass and iron circular base. circa 1810; France PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION Property from the Collection of Pat and Michael York Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Heritage Auctions...
Brass, Bronze, Iron
$13,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
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: ...
Bronze
1930’s Swedish Empire 6 lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s Swedish empire style crystal chandelier with 6 lights
Crystal, 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 ...
Bronze
Exceptional late 19th-century Murano chandelier
Located in Buzzò, Emilia-Romagna
An exceptional late 19th-century Murano chandelier, handcrafted on the island of Murano, Venice, and distinguished by the extraordinary refinement of its decorative craftsmanship. Th...
Murano Glass
Large Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn, Amphora Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large, heavy Empire style gilt and patinated bronze Amphora table lamp decorated with fine ornaments and garlands on a square base supported by four feet covered with leaves. Five-li...
Bronze
Impressive Italian Gilt Brass Frame Sixteen Light Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your space with the grandeur of this Impressive Early 20th Century Italian Gilt Brass Frame Sixteen-Light Cut Crystal Chandelier. This chandelier is a magnificent example of ...
Crystal, Brass
$20,887Sale Price / item|25% Off
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Crystal
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 ...
Bronze
Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Three-Light Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has a brass and metal frame hung with chains of crystal glass beads forming a basket...
Metal, Brass
Empire Style Chandelier in Bronze, Green Sheet Metal and Molded Glass Flame
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice, elegant and decorative Empire style chandelier is made of green sheet metal and gilt bronze, decorated with swan necks, ornaments and palmettes, and surmounted by a m...
Bronze, Sheet Metal
Large French Empire Style Balloon Chandelier A Fine Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Empire Style Balloon Chandelier A Fine Piece, with an age darkened Brass metal frame and set with crystal pendants, it has 6 bulbs giving a very attractive atmospheric ...
Crystal
Vintage Italian Bouillotte Lamp by Chapman, Turned Wood & Brass, 1960s
Located in Winter Park, FL
A vintage Italian bouillotte style lamp made in Italy by The Champman Manufacturing Company. Turned wood base with brass four arm candelabra and original green tôle shade with eglomi...
Brass, Tôle
1930's French Empire Chandelier with Eagles
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style black painted chandelier with eagle's heads.
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Newly rewired electrici...
Bronze
$7,012 / set
Pair of Bouillotte Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of bouillotte lamps in toleware and bronze, in the French Empire manner.
Bronze
Antique French Chandelier, Brass & Crystal, Empire Style, Circa 1860
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French chandelier, pendant made of hand crafted polished brass, in good condition. The hand blown cut crystal prisms are attached, halted to the ceiling lamp brass f...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
$22,500 / item
French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style eight-light chandelier, with intricate brass casting that, contrasts with the black to create a striking effect. The fine detai...
Brass
Small Gilt Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Decorative Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Empire style Chandelier. 6 lights. France, circa 1920. Dimensions: Height 25" Diameter 16" CW5549
Bronze