Skip to main content

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.

to
110
551
371
900
55
10
Height
to
Width
to
666
356
46
58
36
47
34
41
30
33
28
31
58,025
18,973
8,974
8,076
3,928
2,594
2,064
1,600
1,596
838
786
623
576
546
409
199
128
10
400
490
65
188
142
60
33
7
43
44
19
18
17
14
8
6
871
561
276
204
202
783
552
96
55
38
965
943
959
18
8
3
3
3
Style: Empire
Hand Blown Murano Glass Semi Flush Fixture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous Large Hand-Blown Italian Glass Semi Flush Fixture. Ribbed salt glass bowl with elegant pale pink ruffle trim. Dramatic addition to any room. ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Empire Style Balloon Chandelier with pendants
Located in Paris, FR
Large Empire-style hot-air balloon chandelier with tassels and ormolu mount with palmettes. It is lit by eight lights in the lower part and four more in the upper crown. The name Mo...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1920 Caldwell Gilt Bronze Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of 1920's Caldwell Empire style bronze double light sconces
Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Sevres Pink Ground Porcelain Lamps, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Sevres Pink Ground Gilt Metal Mounted Porcelain Lamps, late 19th century, each of ovoid form, with scrolled eagle head handles, the bodies painted with panels of cupid at pla...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Russian 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most impressive Russian 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu eighteen light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine inverted bottom finial w...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Very Fine 19th Century French Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in Richmond, VA
Incredible 19th century French empire bronze chandelier, now electrified. 10 patinated arms separated by gilt decorated bronze terminating into leaves.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Russian Cut-Glass, Ormolu, and Blue Porcelain Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Russian cut-glass, ormolu, and blue porcelain chandelier Russian, 19th Century Height 120cm, diameter 90cm This stunning Russian chandelier brings together vibrant turquoise porcela...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Early 19th Century, French Empire Gilded Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire crystal and gilt bronze nine candle bell shaped chandelier of the highest quality; the circular corona surmounted by palm shaped fin...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of 19th C. French Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Torchieres/floor lamps
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Large Pair of 19th Century Empire Period French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Torchieres. The patinated bronze base is decorated with hand-chassed and hand-c...
Category

1820s 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

Large French Empire Style Tent Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Empire Style Tent chandelier This is a lovely piece, quite a large chandelier, it has an aged brass frame hung with large crystals, com...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

Empire Style Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very elegant and restrained gilt bronze & painted bronze empire style pendant. France, circa 1920. 4 Lights. Measures: height 38", diameter 25"...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Large Pair, Empire Style Sconces, 18-Karat Gold Plate, 3 Lights, Black Shaft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Larger pair of Empire Looking style sconces They are of hi-quality lost wax Bronze castings with fine detailing . With polished 18-karat gold plated finish in Antique. Center sha...
Category

1990s American Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French Empire neoclassical gilt and patina bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular corona decorated with a continuous band of gilt laurel leaves...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Set of Eight French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite set of eight French Empire style gilt bronze figural neoclassical wall sconces. Each sconce is structured with a central backplate featuring a prominent male mask, model...
Category

20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Green Bouillotte Bronze Three Lights Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Empire style period desk lamp, boasting three bronze lights and an adjustable screen, is complemented by a verdant tole shade in hues of vivid green. Take into account that...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper

French Three Light Interior Lantern Empire Style
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Three Light Interior Lantern Empire Style This lovely brass and painted lantern is suspended from the ceiling rose by an acanthus decorated ceiling rose and adjustable chain....
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

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

Antique French Empire Style Brown Painted Metal and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style brown painted metal and gilt bronze chandelier. French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 60cm, diameter 67cm This unusual chandelier is crafted f...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

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
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire St. Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely French 19th century Empire st. verdigris patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The patinated bronze base is decorated with an ormolu inverted finial and acanthus leaves an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th Century Empire Pendant from Stockholm
Located in Ljungby, SE
High-class Empire pendant from Stockholm around 1800-1810. It features six beautifully decorated candle arms with acanthus leaves. The central decoration includes a female figure sta...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Chandelier, Late 20th Century, Empire, 10 Branch, Wilkinson Plc
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The polished brass acanthus leaf corona supports six rectangular split link chains holding a black painted bowl with an ormolu pendant. The five polished brass double candle...
Category

1990s European Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Four Italian Empire Vases 1700 Gilded and Carved Wood Lamp Bases
Located in Milano, MI
Gilded Empire Lamp Bases 1700 Set of Four Palm Vases with square base and circular turned and carved body made of pine wood, water-gilded in fine gold leaf on red bole preparation. T...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu candelabra lamps. Each three arm candelabra mounted into a lamp is raised on a square O...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A Pair of Early 19th Century French Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of early 19th Century French tole sconces. Converted from oil lamps with classical gilt figures and Directoire imagery. Circa 1820s.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pr. French Empire Period Patinated & Dore Bronze Candlesticks Turned to Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic pair of French empire period patinated and dore bronze candlesticks mounted as lamps. Each is beautifully cast, hand-chased, and hand-chiseled with the finest quality of burnished and matted dore bronze mounts. The fluted columnar bodies are beautiful with a dark patina which is offset with magnificent rich dore bronze mounts. The bodies are fluted with acanthus leaf dore bronze mounts which terminate at either end. The tops are supported by multiple patinated bronze lions paws. The bases are square with dore bronze medusa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Elegant Louis XVI Gilded Bronze Lantern with Hand-Cut Glass Panels, France
Located in Coimbra, PT
This exquisite Louis XVI-style lantern is a remarkable example of early 20th-century French craftsmanship. Executed in finely gilded bronze, the piece features intricate neoclassical...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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.
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 25.5 H (to light socket) x 5" W x 5" D. {3-...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting

Materials

Glass

Elegant Early 20th Century Empire-Style Crystal Beaded Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This refined Empire-style chandelier exudes understated opulence with its graceful silhouette and cascading strands of faceted crystal beads. Likely of French or Northern European or...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Palace Size French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
The Palace Size French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier is a grand and luxurious lighting fixture that exudes elegance and sophistication. With its intricate design and exqu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal, 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...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
Located in IT
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp This elegant table lamp model buillotte was made in France in the early nineteenth century, classic taste with decorative elements Em...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Empire Table Lamps Egyptian revival Bois Dore Bouilotte lamps Napoleonic pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Tall Figural Empire Table Lamps. Depicting a Winged Sphinx made of giltwood on a marble base. Between the wings arise a 4 armed gilt bronze candelabra with above 2 light bulbs. Matching lampshades with gold trim and interior. Style, Vintage, Hollywood Regency, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Mid Century Modern, Design: Traditional Gold Gilded Napoleonic table...
Category

20th Century Spanish Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf

2 brass and glass Peacock wall-sconces in Hollywood regency style
By OTHR
Located in Zemst, BE
2 wall sconces in brass and glass Peacock form Wonderful condition. Original wiring, that's still ok: ready for use. Place of origin: Spain No manufacturer known Period: mid 1970...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Second Empire Style Five-Arm Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
A large pair of Charles X bronze and marble five-light candelabra now fitted as table lamps. This striking pair combine honey-colored Siena marble and dark crisp scrolling bronze in ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French 1870 Pair of Empire Candle Holders Lamps Ormolu with Gray Dotted Granite
Located in Miami, FL
French empire pair of candle holders lamps. Exceptional pair of antique candleholders, created in Paris France during the imperial period of Napoleon III, circa 1870. They was designed with French empire neoclassical patterns, masterfully crafted with parts made up in gilt bronze ormolu and patinated bronze. Mounted in fluted columns pedestals carved from gray dotted Granite, with polished finish. Embellished with garlands and putties mounted in a four square and stepped bases. Weight: Combined of 12 Pounds (5.45 Kilos). Measurements: 15 Height by 4.50 Length by 5.15 Width Inches, (38 x 11.43 x 13.08 Cm). French Empire Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (1808-1873) was Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870 under the name of Napoleon III. In a way, the artistic codes of the Napoleon III style, also called Second Empire style, were presented at the Exhibition of 1844, during the reign of Louis-Philippe d'Orléans. The second Empire style, also known as the Napoleon III style, is a highly eclectic style of architecture and decorative arts, which uses elements of many different historical styles, and also made innovative use of modern materials, such as iron frameworks and glass skylights. It flourished during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III in France (1852–1870) and had an important influence on architecture and decoration in the rest of Europe and North America. Major examples of the style include the Opéra Garnier (1862–1871) in Paris by Charles Garnier, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the Church of Saint Augustine (1860–1871), and the Philadelphia City Hall (1871–1901). The architectural style was closely connected with Haussmann's renovation of Paris carried out during the Second Empire; the new buildings, such as the Opéra, were intended as the focal points of the new boulevards. Comfort was the first priority of Second Empire furniture...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Granite, Bronze, Ormolu

One Empire Style Silvered and Black Engraved Metal Table Lamp, France, 1930s
Located in IT
Empire style silvered and black engraved metal table lamp, France, early 20th century, 1930s In the pictures you see two lamps but only one le...
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Lighting

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique French chandelier dates from the 19th Century and could be attributed to the master bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne. It is cast entirely in gilt bronze, and fea...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Style Brass Bouillotte Lamp with Black and Gilt Tole Shade
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful quality brass bouillotte lamp with gilt decorated metal shade. Fine details throughout, swan heads holding the tole painted shade and corbel style candle arms. Recently re-...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

true pair of French 19th century Bronze, Ormolu and Marble candelabra lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive and high quality true pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Vert de Patricia Marble candelabra lamps. Each stunning electrified ca...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of gilt and patinated bronze sconces from embellished with winged Victories. Each sconce features four candlestick branches that terminate in lions heads and are intricately scu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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. ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Billiard, Snooker or Kitchen Island Brass Chandelier, 1850s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A huge and impressive French Empire brass chandelier for billiard/snooker or kitchen island. Lamp socket: 2 x E27 or E26 ( US) for standard screw bulbs. France, circa 1840 - 1860s....
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Set of Three Antique French Empire Wall Light Sconces 2 Lights torch, France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A nice set of three sconces with 2 light sources, made of bronze in torch styles. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabra bulbs, each up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
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...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Empire Lighting

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting

Materials

Onyx, Brass

A Unique Large Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This unusual Antique French Empire gilt bronze chandelier embodies the refined aesthetics of the Neoclassical style. It features multiple gracefully curved arms, each delicately ador...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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

Early 19th Century Empire Candelabra with Caryatids
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Empire bronze and marble candelabra with three branches each. The lights are supported by bronze caryatids with dark brown patina, who are dressed in long tunics à l’antique ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Chandelier. Imposing giltwood and alabaster chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent giltwood and alabaster Russian chandelier in the Empire style
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Lighting

Materials

Alabaster

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

French Empire Style GIlt Bronze and Red Painted tole Swan Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A unique and spectacular French Empire-style gilt bronze and red-painted tole chandelier featuring a circular form suspended by three elongated gilt bronze chains. The central body i...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze, Tôle

Bouillotte French Lamp Gild Bronze 4 lights Flora Motive Empire Style
Located in Sweden, SE
Stylish antique Bouillotte lamp. Square foot with a four candleholders in flora motive candleholders and adjustable fabric shade with fixation bolt in form of an arrow feather. The ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large and Important Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large and spectacular important antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and white patinated multi light chandeliers of superb quality and detail. These chandelier are ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19 Century French Empire Crystal Candlesticks
Located in San Marino, CA
Pair of French candelabrum with crystal stems, sitting on marble.   
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Lighting

Materials

Crystal

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.

Recently Viewed

View All