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.
Large French Empire Brass Crackle Art Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Large French Empire Brass & Crackle Frosted Art Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture Having 3 Internal Candelabra Lights Rewired With New Sockets
Brass
19th Century French Empire Green Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th Century French empire style double lights sconces, green patinated bronze.
Bronze
Pair Of French Empire Ormolu Candlestick Lamps With Tole Shades
Located in Essex, MA
Shade height 5 inches. Diameter of base 5.5 inches. Pair of period candlesticks with caryatids attributed to Claude Galle. Black painted tole shades.
Bronze, Tin
Monumental "Sac à Perles" Crystal Chandelier with Neoclassical Brass Frieze
Located in Mortsel, BE
Empire-style crystal chandelier dates from the mid-20th century and evokes the grandeur of French Neoclassical design. Often referred to as a "Sac à Perles" (bag of pearls) or basket...
Crystal, Brass
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier. Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
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....
Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Doré Bronze Twelve-Light Tassel Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
This wonderful doré bronze twelve-light chandelier has a wonderful top with draped swag, etched detail throughout and cherubs accenting the top. Measures: 24" W x 32" H.
Bronze
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
Mid-19th Century Tole Bouillotte Candlestick Lamp from France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1860s French Bouillotte lamp featuring three candlesticks with brackets and a golden taupe tole shade accented by a decorative teal floral border. Bouillotte is a gambling card ...
Metal
Romantic Italian Empire Style Iron and Frosted Glass Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic Empire style iron and frosted glass chandelier having delicate draping necklaces of glass and 6 arms.
Iron
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Griffon Bouillotte Lamp with Tole Shade, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
French Empire gilt bronze bouillotte lamp with three scrolled arms, interior griffon heads, telescopic tole shade with pineapple and feather finial, and resting on the original circu...
Bronze, Tôle, Tin, Wire
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...
Bronze
Pair of Bronze and Green Empire Wall Lights with Beige/Green Shades
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair of bronze and green Empire wall lights with beige/green shades.
Bronze
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra or Carcel Lamp from the Estate of Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This very nice carcel lamp now converted to electricity comes from the estate and Paul and Bunny Mellon and formed part of the decorations of their home Oa...
Bronze, Tin
18th Century Large Scale Italian Empire Gilt Tole and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exquisite 18th century large scale Italian Empire style gilt tole and crystal chandelier with 8 lights. An impressive fixture that is a classic beauty. Gorgeous!
Crystal, Bronze
Large French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Sconce Attributed to Thomire
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly unusual large scale single French Empire wall sconce, the bronze having the finest chasing and gilding ever produced. A winged cupi...
Bronze
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...
Bronze, Ormolu
Large French Empire-Style Gilt-Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in London, GB
Large French Empire-Style Gilt-Bronze Bouillotte Lamp French, early 20th Century Height 84 cm, Diameter 32 cm This finely cast French Empire-style bouillotte lamp is executed in gil...
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and patinated iron pendant with three candles resting on Eagle heads. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Brass, Bronze
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze & Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light. Measures: Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm Height 20.5 in (10 in, chain)/ 75 cm (25 cm, chain) Weight...
Bronze
$12,000 / set
A Pair of Large French Empire Style Candelabra Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A tall and impressive pair of late French Empire period candelabra which have been converted into lamps. The candelabra are made of the finest quality chased patinated and gilded br...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Tole Metal Urn Bouillotte Table Lamp w Shade
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Hand Painted Tole Metal Urn Form Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp with Shade. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 11" H (t...
Metal
$4,500 / set
French empire gilt bronze sconces
Located in Augusta, GA
Nicely cast French empie style sconces with women hong up the arms
Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Six Arms, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms. Cleaned and re-wired, in full working order and ready to use. In excellent vintage condition. Si...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Five-Arm Gilt Bronze Wall Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) French empire style wall light sconces with five electrified candle arms and wiring.
Bronze
$3,950Sale Price|31% Off
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 ...
Crystal, Bronze
Empire style bronze dore chandelier with crystal
Located in Houston, TX
Fine gilt bronze frame which has fifteen lights Makes this piece exceptional. This chandelier Has five lights in the bowl and ten lights around The perimeter. The wiring is new and...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of columnar form neoclassical lamps feature gilt bronze wreaths and Corinthian capitals.
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandelier, Circa 1820, Eight Arms, France
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (circa 1820) bronze & gilt trimmed chandelier with 8 scroll arms emanating from a circular corona with an acorn drop finial and suspended by 4 foliate chains.
Bronze
$14,850Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair French 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Urn Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style patinated-bronze and gilt-bronze mounted allegorical covered urn vases lamps in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (Fr...
Bronze
$26,369Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style 16-Light Crystal and Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large French Empire style 16-light crystal and gilt metal basket chandelier from the 19th century, with scrolling arms, diamond and rosette motifs. Born in France during the politi...
Crystal, Metal
$3,955Sale Price / set|20% Off
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Brass
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms. Cleaned and re-wired, in full working order and ready to use. In excellent vintage condition. Si...
Crystal, Bronze
$1,850 / set
Elegant pair of French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of 1940's French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Brass
Vintage French Empire Style Small Bronze Urn Form Boudoir Vanity Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Small Bronze Urn Form Boudoir Vanity Desk Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 17.5" H x 4" W x 4" D.
Bronze
Interesting Late 19th-Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Interesting Late 19th / Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Empire Style Sixteen Light Chandelier Four long chains connect the top with the body, eight gilt sphinx encircle and light ...
Bronze
Fabulous French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze 9-Light Glass Torch Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Spectacular large neoclassical French Empire chococate brown patinated and gilt bronze 9-light chandelier with faux candle sockets Measures: Diameter 27.6 in/ 70 cm Height 35.5 in/ ...
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...
Metal, Bronze
Very Fine Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt and painted bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring 8 swans carrying stylized candle cups. All original. Measures: Height 37", width 26", 8-light CW4449.
Bronze
Pair Of Circa 1900 Gilded Bronze Female Griffin Empire Wall Lights
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional pair of circa 1900 French Empire style ormolu wall lights, these stunning gilded bronze lights are modelled as the winged female griffin, a classic Empire motif symbol...
Brass, Bronze
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...
Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
$2,900Sale Price|34% Off
Antique Italian Empire Style Brass Rocaille Dragons on 6-Arm Crystal Chandelier
Located in Encinitas, CA
Elegant Empire style chandelier, opulent yet compact, featuring 6 crystal cups supported by delightful winged dragons on brass rocaille arms. Delicate, faceted glass beads, baubles a...
Brass
$1,977Sale Price|20% Off
1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous two lights wall light in pink lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970' and then left in...
Brass
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Pair of Italian Gilt Bronze Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style Italian - Circa 1880 These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion mask pl...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire, Thirteen Light Basket Chandelier, Bronze, Crystal, France, 19th C
Located in Stamford, CT
French Empire, Bronze, Crystal, Thirteen Light Chandelier, France, 19th Century An exquisite 19th century dore bronze chandelier featuring a classic basket ballroom design with intr...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchiere Floor Lamps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Empire Style 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchiere...
Marble, Bronze
Wonderful Pair Vaughan Empire Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Candlestick Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of Vaughan French empire style gilt doré bronze neoclassical Bouillotte candlestick lamps
Bronze
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 ...
Metal, Brass
French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Steel Figural Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and steel figural chandelier of refined execution. The chandelier features a circular steel dish-shaped body richly mounted with gilt bronze ...
Bronze, Steel
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Eagle Head Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze & Dark Green Patinated Regency Petite three Candelabra Light Eagle Head Chandelier
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,695Sale Price|20% Off
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in ...
Brass
Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier French, Late 19th Century Height 32, diameter 42cm This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Ormolu
1950s Italian Empire Style Gilt Brass and Bohemian Crystal Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Italian Empire-style chandelier dating to the 1950s, featuring a finely detailed gilt brass structure richly adorned with cascading Bohemian crystal prisms and faceted crysta...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Charles X Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra Lamps
Located in New York, NY
With acanthus-wrapped fluted columns on scroll-form feet and triangular base. Lamp shades not included. Height to socket is 20" - height can be adjusted with different harps.
Bronze
Wonderful Pair French Empire Figural Bronze Patinated Regency 2 Arm Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of very fine French empire doré bronze and patinated figural women two-arm sconces, rewired with new candelabra sockets and ready to install with supplied mounting b...
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...
Bronze
Modern Gold Chandelier Crystals Empire Basket New Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
An elegant chandelier featuring a dense crystal structure and a distinctive shape. Its tapering form and decorative upper elements lend the chandelier a sophisticated and high-end a...
Crystal
Custom Made Brass Lantern Chandelier Circular Glass Pendant Light 6 Light Fixtur
Located in Berlin, DE
This exceptional lantern is our own original creation, handcrafted in our workshop with the highest level of precision and attention to detail. Every element is carefully made by han...
Brass
Antique Crystal Empire Style Italian Chandelier, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Italian chandelier in the Empire style, dating to the 1950s. The chandelier features a finely worked metal structure with classic Empire lines, richly adorned with hand-cut ...
Crystal, Metal