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
French Empire Floor Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
French floor lamp of solid flamed Mahogany finished with a lustrous museum quality French polish and finely cast gilt bronze decorative rings. This floor lamp features a tripod base....
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,950
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Eagle Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore chandelier having 6 arms with eagle heads emanating from a 6 sided tapered center post with a bottom acorn finial.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
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 an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Columnar Lamp
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome gilt and patinated columnar lamp base features Classical motifs including acanthus leaves and paw feet.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Crystal and Gilt Bronze Urn Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A twin handled Empire urn in gilded bronze, the two arms decorated with medusa heads, and classical heads below. Gilt grape leaves encircle the ovoid body. The urn sits on a decorate...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This large scale 19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier is a stunning piece that perfectly combines elegance and sophistication. The intricate gilt bronze fra...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
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
Empire-Style Brass Chandelier with Frosted Glass Shade, Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Antique Empire-Style Brass Chandelier with Frosted Glass Shade, Early 20th Century
Exquisite antique chandelier crafted in the Empire style, featuring an ornate brass frame with gra...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Russian Crystal, Cobalt Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier Attributed to Zekh
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare and important Russian late 18th Century twelve candle crystal chandelier attributed to the renowned firm of Johann Zekh. Crafted in Sa...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
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
Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century.
The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Oak
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
$6,655 Sale Price / item
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
Vintage French Empire Alabaster Column Brass Metal Candelabra Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Alabaster Column Brass Metal Candelabra Table Lamps - Pair. Item features carved alabaster columns, 4 candelabras each with one central light. Fixture with mult...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Louis XVI Regency Empire Crystal and Bronze Twelve-Light Wedding Cake Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Stunning large French Empire cut crystal and bronze twelve-light chandelier with crystal drops and swags
Measures:
Diameter 26 in/ 66 cm
Height 40 in / 100 cm
Weight 34 lb/16 Kg
Twel...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
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...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twenty lights and features high quality handcrafted details.
Top crowns in characterized...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1930 French Empire Bronze Sconces 1 Light 14”
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1930’s French empire style gilt bronze sconces with swan’s heads, one light
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Pair of Massive Patinated and Gilt Bronze 5-Light Sconces, Wall Appliques
Located in Germantown, MD
A Massive Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Five-Light Wall Appliques or Sconces, 20th Century, in the style of E.F. Caldwell. This pair is large and features a patinated putti form ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Wall Girdle/Wall Light after Antoine-André Ravrio
By André-Antoine Ravrio
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial Empire wall girdle to Antoine-André Ravrio 1759-1814.
Bronze, gilded or partly dark patinated. From acanthus of fullplastic herme / Amor adult with, holding a vase as a car...
Category
20th Century 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
19thc Antique French Empire style Bronze & Cut Crystal Cascading Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Cascading crystal form. Bronze frame. Purchased in France.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Grand Prospect Hall Empire Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Empire style chandelier was repurposed from a larger light in the main ballroom in Brooklyn, New York's Grand Prospect Hall. Grand Prospect Hall was built in 1892 and has witnes...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Glass
Empire Gilt Bronze 9 Light Empire Style Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Restored French Empire 9 light chandelier. Gilt bronze finish. Requires nine E-12 bulbs. Cleaned and restored. Please note, this item is located in our NYC location.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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
Mid. Century vintage elegant neoclassical style lamps/pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid-century vintage Neo classical style table lamps. These lamps have a copper undertone with a beautiful patinated distressed green patina. These lamps have a hand...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Copper
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870.
This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Ormolu Mounted / Patinated Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with timeless elegance using this exquisite 19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier, designed in the form of a Greek oil lamp. This chandelier is a r...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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
20th Century Italian Empire Bronze Table Lamp Red Lampshade Golden Embroideries
Located in Milano, MI
An Empire style large bronze urn vase wired as table lamp with an oval red lampshade. An Italian circular handled decorative bronze center vase, the so-c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19thc Antique French "Empire" Bronze Fish/ Dolphin/ Sea Creature/ Koi Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare 19thc French Antique Empire Bronze Fish/ Sea Creature/ Dolphin Chandelier. 3 fish with curled tails. Floral Art Glass shades. Parisian Estate a...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century French Empire-style chandelier with gilt and painted finish.
Measurements:
Diameter: 18"
Height: 26.5".
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$7,200
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
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Marble and Bronze Lamp
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality 19th Century bronze and green marble lamp base is of columnar form. It features Neoclassical motifs including floral swags and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Silver Square Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Antique Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Experience Timeless Opulence with the Empire Sac a Pearl Crystal Chandelier
Indulge in the allure of the past with the Empire Sac a Pearl crystal chandelier, an exquisite blend of v...
Category
1940s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The three arm chandelier is centered by a beautiful richly chased bottom acorn fini...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage French Empire Patinated Bronze Brass Column Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Patinated Bronze/Brass Heavy Column Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light socket) x...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Pair Of Antique Brass Peacock Wall light, Spain, 1960s
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful brass wall lights with crystal glass beads. Manufactured in the 1960s in Europe, Spain.
The lights are in the shape of a peacock. With crystal beads between the b...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Swedish Black & Gilt Bronze Eagle Empire Chandelier, Early 1800's
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Empire-style, black and gold chandelier made in Sweden circa 1830. In a bowl-form with 5 candle-style lights with finely cast, eagle head...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,904 Sale Price
60% Off
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
Empire Style Table Lamp (No Shade). Bronze, Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire style lamp (without shade). Patinated bronze.
marble base Table lamp elevated on a marble base, it is shaped like a vase with handles in the shape of simplified swan heads, fo...
Category
20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Hoop Form Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) gilt bronze sconces in the French empire style, of hoop form with three inch crystal pendants and three candle holders. All pendants are brand ne...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Pair Of Empire Style Niermann Weeks Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of wall sconces in the Empire style with embossed gilt metal having a floral-like design, three electrified lights with beeswax candle covers...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century French Empire chandelier
Located in New York, NY
late 19th Century French Empire chandelier with swam head's. Original finish and patina.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Cleaned and restored. Small quantity available at time of posting. Please inquire. Priced each. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
This lamp, circa 1920, is styled in the French Empire fashion, which draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman designs and was popularized during the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte....
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Pair Of Antique Gilt Bronze Empire Style Wall Sconces With Swan Support
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Exceptional pair of French Bronze Swan form wall sconces Large tall and heavy bronze sconces. The backs in the form of arrows at the bottom with bow wrapped shafts above and palmette...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 47" H (to finial) x 34" H (to light socket) x 8.5" W x 8.5" D...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Empire 2 Arm Brass Crystal Candelabra Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
These pieces were acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. Pair of two arm Empire style wall sconces with a brushed brass frame and icicle shaped and draped faceted...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
1900 French Empire Sconces With Swams
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1900 French Empire sconces with swan's head
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,400 / set
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.