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
Solid Brass and Glass Lantern or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made in the style of the Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes three E14 ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
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.
Six E 14 light bulbs.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Empire style
Marble and golden bronze
Origin France circa 1900
Very good condition. Natural wear.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five-Arm Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five Candelabra Light Chandelier, This Fixture Comes With Shades That Maybe Removed
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
An Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass And Patinated Bronze Lantern
Located in London, GB
A large Empire style lantern in patinated bronze with gilt brass accents. Four curved glass panels, decorative scrolled inner branch arms. Gilt br...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
1930s Empire Gilt Bronze Swan Head Sconces three lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930’s gilt bronze sconces with swan’s head and three lights
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Two-Light Wall Torchère Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of French empire style gilt-bronze two-light wall torchère sconces. Each elongated gilt-bronze applique with central twin-tassels supporting a pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Bronze 8 Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century French Empire style bronze chandelier with 8 lights. Beautiful decorative detail on the base and arms. A classic fixture that is sure to impress!!
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Red Glass Crystal Baltic Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine French Empire / neoclassical style gilt bronze and red glass centerpiece with crystal drop Baltic chandelier having four swan arms rewired...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A mid to late 19th century French gilt bronze Empire chandelier with swans heads and bronze figurine atop
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique 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
Pair of French Brass and Crystal Sconces in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Chicago, IL
These Empire-style sconces showcase a signature element of Maison Jansen lighting: pierced brass encrusted with beaded crystals. This intricate combination of brass and encrusted crystal beads creates a stunning visual effect resembling a glistening, flowing fountain of light.
This meticulous craftsmanship embodies the elegance and sophisticated artistry for which Maison Jansen is famous. Maison Jansen of Paris, a renowned interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular and large antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi-light chandelier. This fine chandelier is embellished with gilt bronze swan arms and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Important 19th C Empire Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze Palatial Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
One of the finest 19th century Empire palatial 36 light chandeliers on the market today. Fine gilt bronze Empire details with two tiers of 36 light...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This precious Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features many finely hand chiseled details. This model is typical of French Empire period due to ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold, Bronze
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
French Empire Nickel Plated Brass Bouillotte Lamp, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Empire period nickel and nickel plated brass oval shape Bouillotte two candle lamp, now electrified. Having a black painted tole adjustable shade and u...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Nickel
A Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine pair of late 19thC French Empire style candelabra now wired into lamps. The very well cast and patinated winged Victory or Nike s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1900's French Empire Arrow Gold and Black Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's French Empire style double light arrow sconces
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1960's Italian Marble Bronze Urn Table Lamp by Marbro
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous Italian purple marble urn lamp with golden bronze handles, base and hardware.
Made by the artisans of Marbro Lamp CO. No issues or damage.
Very heavy piece, 55 lbs +.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, 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
1900's French Empire Style Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900' s French Empire style small sconces with two lights
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Basket Chandelier, 1st Third 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Large ceiling chandelier with six brass candle holders. The hanging of glass prisms, drops and beads is guided over two hoops and ends in a basket with hanging drops.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Pair of Spanish Empire Style 7-Light Crystal-Cut Chandeliers
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Pair of Spanish Empire Style 7-Light Crystal-Cut Chandeliers, in the Style of the Spanish Royal Factory of Glass and Crystal of La Granja
A large pair of Empire style 7-light ...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
French Bronze Lamp, Enameled with Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French bronze lamp, interesting, modern form with fine enameling of Jacques-Louis David's, 1812 painting of The Emperor Napoleon in his Study at the Tuileries, New wiring
The heigh...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of 1940's French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Carrara marble and Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Empire period Carrara marble and gilt bronze candlestick lamps.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Antique Patinated Bronze Chandelier with Figure of Mercury and Three Arms
Located in San Francisco, CA
This beautifully crafted chandelier of patinated bronze is truly magnificent. With it's detailed figure of Mercury, bronze garlands, cherubs and gazelles, the three arms each hold f...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
Late 19th Century French Empire Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire style sconces with one light. Price per pair
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze doré 2 arm bouillotte table lamp with swan form arms beneath a red tole adjustable shade 20th century.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality lamp base features a gilt classical frieze, and a patinated bronze figure of a classical maiden.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Pair of Empire Bronze Three Branched Candelabras
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive pair of gilt and sculpted bronze candelabras with three branches. The stem of each candelabrum is a patinated bronze form of the winged goddess, Victory, who holds a gilt bronze torch in each of her hands. Her head is topped with a gilt bronze vase that transforms into the candelabra branches, which is embellished with griffins and rosettes. At the top of each candelabrum is a peacock standing on a globe, symbolizing the sun and immortality. Victory is standing on a cruciform-shaped base, which has a winged cupid on two sides and a caduceus on the other two sides. The intertwined snakes of the caduceus are a symbol of the Greek god Hermes (or the Roman god Mercury) and is a symbol of peace, eloquence and negotiation. Empire period. Perfect condition.
Our model is inspired by the projects of Charles Percier and Franc¸ois-Leonard Fontaine, famous architects of the Emperor. Their most important work, entitled Recueil de decorations inte´rieurs (Collection of interior decorations), was published in France at the, end of the 19th century. The winged Victories, caduceus and griffins are some of the motifs present in this piece that demonstrate the adoption of Percier and Fontaine’s decorative...
Category
1810s Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
French Empire Silver Plate Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) silver plate 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green tole shade.
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Tôle
Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage Sconces Two Wall Lights Gold Bronze Crystal Drops Beads, France, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage sconces bronze with gilding, crystal from France, mid-20th century, each with two lamps, very beautiful and festive!
The crystal droplets are stunning, different shapes and...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Dore Lantern Chandelier, Frosted Etched Glass, 19th Century, Solid Bronze
Located in Manhasset, NY
Empire Dore Lantern Chandelier, Frosted Etched Glass, 19th Century, Solid Bronze Pendant
A finely cast dore bronze lantern pendant having etched frosted g...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Caryatid Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and dore trim 8 scroll arm chandelier with 4 caryatid females.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Green Marble Barbedienne Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Century) green marble column candlestick lamps with bronze dore trimmed capital and square base (signed F. BARBEDIENNE) (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940.
Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb.
Original patin...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Arm Bouillotte Lamps or Table Lamps, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Empire gilded bronze finely chiseled Bouillotte lamps with dark green painted tole adjustable shade.
Two E 14 light bulbs.
We can deliver wired for US standard.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Large Vieux Paris Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Old vieux Paris porcelain from the Napoleonic period decorated with farm animals and barn. With swan handles. Beautifully painted and fire gilded. Now mounted as lamps.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in London, GB
Designed to mimic the appearance of a star-studded celestial globe, theses Empire style chandeliers are simultaneously charming and outstandingly beautiful. Each chandelier is design...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Metal, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843)
A large a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Neoclassical Large Empire Bronze Crystal Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French neoclassical large Empire bronze and crystal adorning glass bell jar lantern fixture with 6 candelabra lights.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
French bronze Empire style chandelier with the goddess Demeter as the center finial.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Empire-Style Cast Metal Sconces
Located in Sheffield, MA
The defining feature of this pair of antique Napoleon Empire-style lighting fixtures are the vertical arrows "shot through" the backs of the gilt cast metal sconces. Each piece has a...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
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
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.