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 1930s Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in Fairfax, VA
This fabulous empire chandelier. This stunning fixture is made of beautiful black lacquer and ornate bronze.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Seven lights, 60 wat...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pr of French Old Paris or Vieux Paris Urns Now Converted into Table Lamps, C1810
By Old Paris
Located in valatie, NY
Pr of French Old Paris or Vieux Paris urns now converted into table lamps c1810. Old Paris porcelain or Vieux Paris is very broadly defined as porcelain made by artisans in and aroun...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Baltic Neoclassic Ormolu, Rock Crystal & Cobalt Blue Glass Chandelier, c 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Constructed entirely of ormolu brass with clear glass bead chains, prisms, and a centered faceted hanging sphere, the bottom section with swags and cast rosettes issuing 6 arms, two ...
Category
Early 1800s Baltic Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Bouillotte Desk Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Crafted in early 20th century France, this table lamp features a beautiful bronze candelabra base. The lamp has been professionally electrified and restored and has two lights.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Crystal Glass Chandelier, Parisian Candelabra
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Pair of Empire Style Black Stone and Ormolu Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each candleholder of columnar form surmounted with ormolu stiff-leaf capitals and with acanthus-wrapped base, on pedestal bases with outswept scrolling feet. Fitted with two brass bulb sockets. Adjustable. Later mounded as a lamps. With duck blue...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Stone, Brass, Ormolu
Empire Bouillotte Lamp
Located in New Haven, CT
This fine French Bouillotte lamp has the highest quality ormolu and an original tôle shade held by swans.
The base, which would hold the Bouillotte game pieces is cutout in Athenian...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
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 German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Wire, Iron
Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column Six Light Chandelier
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian column six light chandelier
Priced each
Additional information:
Materials: Lights
Color: Black
Pe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Set of Four Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Blown Glass Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Set of four french empire style gilt bronze and blown glass wall lights.
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
20th C Restored Empire 5 Arm Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century crystal French Empire basket chandelier. Brass finish and the candelabra body. Cleaned and restored. Takes 17 standa...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Pierre-Philippe Thomire Attributed Single French Empire Gilt Bronze Candelabrum
Located in Savannah, GA
A very fine single French Empire style gilt bronze three-light candelabra featuring the allegorical "à la Victoire". The winged figure holds aloft in her out stretched arms two intricately designed candle-wells in the form of baskets, with an additional basket overhead. She stands balanced on an embossed cylinder over a double plinth with a squared base. This piece is for the serious collector passionate about finely handcrafted decorative arts with superior craftsmanship. It is flawlessly cast and highly detailed, take notice of the folds of her dress that seem to fly in the wind. Done in the distinct manner of Pierre Philippe Thomire (French, 1751-1843) after the original design by Charles Percier...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style “Quiver” Table Lamp in Italian Marble and Bronze, 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An unusual and imposing Empire style table lamp in white Italian Carrara marable, with ornate gilt bronze decoration. Designed in the form of an arrow quiver...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Early Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal Bronze & Crystal 2 Lights Sconce Wall Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Empire Style early half circle Gilt Metal, Bronze and Crystal Sconce, Wall Light with 2 Light sockets in the globe center.
US Rewiring and takes 2 candelabra light bulbs ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Pair of Empire Style Swam Wall Sconces
Located in Fairfax, VA
Pair of bronze swan shape Empire style bronze wall sconces.
75 watts max.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 1910 Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Crafted in France during 1900 elegant bronze work with ram heads and few accent crystal empire chandelier.
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Beautiful Double-Armed Wall Sconce Empire Style Vintage Wall Lamp, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Lumalux Paris brass wall lamp in the Empire style.
Manufactured in France.
It features bright gold and green enamel finishes.
The light is connected to the support u...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century Louis XV-style Bouillotte table lamp, with original, green, gilt- decorated tole lampshade, above a base of three upturned decorative brass candle arms supported ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Exceptional and Rare Empire Chandelier Crystal Gilt Bronze and Patinated Brown
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Exceptional and rare chandelier in crystal, gilded bronze and finely chiseled brown patinated bronze.
Its graceful structure is enhanced by a majestic central gilt bronze shaft co...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Oxidized and Dore Bronze Electrified Oil Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
19th century dark brown, glit bronze oil lamp that has been professionally electrified and fitted with box pleat silk lampshade.
3way socket, up to 250watts.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th C, Style Empire Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite Wall Sconce
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th C style empire black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite wall sconce
Priced Each.
Additional information:
Materials: bronze
Color: Black
Period: 2010s
Styles: Empire, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Empire Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze Chandelier in the Empire taste, featuring gilt bronze swans issuing lights. An exquisite eight wreath top canopy. 8 lights.
France, circa 1900.
Dimensions:...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gold Gilt Empire Style Lamp
Located in Tampa, FL
A single gold gilt lamp in the Empire style. It is very nicely gilded and at the bottom has company name. The lamp has the original plugs, socket and ha...
Category
1940s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Basket Shape Gilt Bronze Crystal Empire Wall Lights
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Early 19th century basket shape gilt bronze crystal empire wall lights.
Cross-shaped gilt-bronze backplate with three semicircular rings ...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, 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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Iron
20th Century Magnificent, Classical Swedish Ceiling Crown, Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent, classical Swedish ceiling crown, chandelier
Polished brass. Curved, star shaped body with teardrop-shaped, faceted glass hangings, starti...
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Empire Dore Lantern Chandelier, Frosted Etched Glass, 19th Century, Solid Bronze
Located in Stamford, CT
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
Empire Style Beaded Crystal Basket Chandelier, Late 20th Century
Located in Milan, IT
A late 20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a classical circular brass structure and three E27 lights inside.Light bulbs can be replaced unscrewing the bro...
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Wall Sconces Pair Empire Style
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A PAIR OF VINTAGE, EMPIRE STYLE, GILDED & BLACK METAL WALL SCONCES, WITH TWO ARMS
- Striking, simple form accentuated by the contrast betwe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Modena (MO), Modena (Mo)
Housing 4 lights, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the Unites States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind green and clear ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Florentine Craftsmanship Heavy Cast Empire Style Floor Lamp No Lampshade
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Massi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Flush Mount Chandelier, Vintage, 1980s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Empire style vintage pendant lighting.
1980s.
The ceiling lamp is a real example of high-quality, beautiful and durable lighting. Wit...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century Gilt Bronze Empire Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Gilt bronze double swan arms bouillotte desk/table lamp with ovel red shade.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Iron
French Electrified Bronze Empire Oil Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Bronze empire oil lamp has professionally rewired with double pull chain socket and fitted with hardback lampshade.
Measurement includes the lampshade.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
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.
This chandelier is lavishly draped in fine quality sparkle crystals. The Maria Theresa chandelier was named after the Archduchess of Austria who was the Empress of the...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Brass Candlestick Lamp
Located in Canton, MA
Early 19th Century French Empire brass candlestick with ornate pressed patterns. Mounted as a table lamp on a wooden base. A lovely addition to a small desk or a shallow table...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Bronze Antique Ceiling Lantern, France, 1920's
Located in Bastogne, BE
Single-light Pendant Lantern is made of bronze, polished to a mirror shine, covered with gilding. France, 1920's.
An ornate French 19th-20th molded glass hanging lantern has elon...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire style light chandelier with blue painted dish having Empire style cast bronze mounts and detailed cast bronze charioteers, suspended ...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century 1st Empire Chandelier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This eye-catching chandelier was crafted in France in the early 1800’s during the 1st Empire period. Composed of a patinated bronze bowl with a cone-shaped neck. The bowl’s base is d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Pair French Empire Style Gilt and Cut Glass Candlestick Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair French Empire Style Giltand and cut glass candlestick lamps
A pair of Empire style gilt brass mounted candlestick lamps, 20th century, with cut glass columns.
size shade/b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
18th Century Italian Empire Style Repousse and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional 18th century Italian Empire style Brass and crystal basket style chandelier. Featuring glistening crystals and a repousse' Greek key design around the base. Stunning!!
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Bohemian Crystal Bell Jar Lantern or Pendant Light
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Bohemian crystal and bronze bell jar pendant hanging light or chandelier. Czech Republic, 1920s-1930s
This elegant hanging light or pendant has a bell in Classic form and featuring bronze leafed scrolled ending hooks. The crystal bell...
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Waldorf Astoria Brass & Crystal Empire Wall Sconce Qty Available
Located in New York, NY
Large scale 20th Century brass and crystal Empire style wall sconces. These were retrieved from the Vanderbilt Room which was located off the right side of the main lobby entrance on...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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
Beautiful Czechoslovakian Crystal Beaded Empire Dome Chandelier circa 1900
Located in Modena (MO), Modena (Mo)
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 strands of crystal beads from tiny t...
Category
Early 1900s Czech Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Pair of 1920's Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Fairfax, VA
Pair of 1920's double arm bronze wall sconces.
Measurement is without the light bulb.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Bronze and Green Empire Wall Lights with Beige/Green Shades
Located in Weiningen, CH
Pair of bronze and green Empire wall lights with beige/green shades.
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Chandelier Vintage 8-Horn Lighting, France, 20th Century
Located in Bastogne, BE
Very beautiful bronze chandelier.
France. Vintage. 20th century.
The material of manufacture of this chandelier is a real 100% BRONZE, which is valued all over the world and is c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French 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
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tall three light electrified wall sconces with various decorative motifs top to bottom in a French inspired design. The eagle crest is perched atop clouds with an inscribed shield (t...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 1920's Empire Style Bronze Swan Arms Wall Sconces
Located in Fairfax, VA
Elegant pair of swan arm three light with harp design back plate.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Empire Crystal Candle Chandelier
Located in Milan, IT
A charming classical Empire style Italian chandelier born for candle lighting, featuring nine arms ending with candles, no electric wiring, can be used as candle holders or decorativ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Iron
Magnificent Bronze Chandelier In Empire Style Six Light Pendant Lighting
Located in Bastogne, BE
Majestic vintage chandelier!
The material of manufacture of this chandelier is a real 100% BRONZE, which is valued all over the world and is charact...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Signed, 19th Century, Converted Milkglass Lamps Hand Painted with Ivy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of columnar table lamps, in Empire style, of milkglass. Each a round, faceted column, handpainted with scrolling vines of ivy. Lamped on round, pierced metal bases. Signed, "Pee...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Milk Glass
French Bronze Empire Candlestick Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Empire two color bronze candlestick that has-been electrified as table lamp with small silk lampshade.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Medusa Rondanini and Eagle Mounted French Empire Bronze Gasolier / Chandelier
Located in Charleston, SC
This Magnificent 19th century French Empire Eagle Mounted Bronze Gasolier / Chandelier has three Torch decorated lights with Greek Key Trump Shades. This Grand Imperial Chandelier / Gasolier has an elegant two tone Patinated Bronze and Ormolu finish in a Classical Design. The Corona is two-toned and crowned by six Gilt Leaves of which three are Anthemion and three are Fern. Below the Corona is the Patinated Bronze Gasolier pipe with Gilt Bronze Foliate Tulip Cups at the top and bottom of the pipe. The center of the Gasolier pipe has a Patinated Bronze Sphere with three Ormolu Classical Roman Medusa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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 ...
Category
Mid-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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