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
Italian Empire Style Chandelier with Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This refined 1950s Italian Empire-style chandelier features a beautifully tapered basket design crafted in gilded brass and adorned with high-quality Bohemian crystal. The upper sect...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
$1,225 Sale Price
30% Off
Empire Bronze Crystal Chandelier, with Fire-Gilded Swans, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely decorative, heavy and high quality Empire chandelier,
19th century.
No replica. Staffed with five magnificent, fire-gilded bronze swans.
This chandelier impresses with its uniqueness.
The swan is the symbol animal of the Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$142,685 Sale Price
33% Off
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
Pair Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps with adjustable height harpers.
Measures: 9.5" in width, 6" ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Empire Period French Gilt Bronze Six Light Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Empire period French gilt bronze six light chandelier
French, c. 1810
Height 80cm, diameter 45cm
Made in France around 1810, at the time when the Empire style was in vogue, the chan...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$22,845 Sale Price
23% Off
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
$2,186 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Antique French Neoclassical Empire Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent antique French Neoclassical Empire figural gilt and patinated bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a domed corona composed of pierced scrolling acanthus ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Chandelier with Frosted Glass Flame
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire style chandelier with gilt bronze arms, neoclassical mounts, ornate chain and canopy. The central body is dark green painted wood, surmounted with a frosted glass flame...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Silvered-Bronze and Cut-Glass Urn Lamp Bases, French Empire Style
Located in London, GB
A pair of silvered-bronze and cut-glass urn lamp bases in the French Empire style
American, 20th century
Measures: Height 55cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
These fine lamp-bases, sha...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
$7,139 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Impressive Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier in the Empire style, featuring four patinated bronze eagle figures.
France, circa 1900. 10 lights.
Dimensions: Heig...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Large Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large antique French Empire-style gilt bronze and patinated bronze chandelier. The chandelier is circular in form, designed with a broad corona supporting twelve lights arranged in...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Napoleon III Bronze and Ormolu Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Napoleon III bronze and ormolu table lamps columnar form.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$2,240 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Chandelier with Figural Decoration, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Magnificent twelve-light chandelier with four tiers, surmounted by a crown of stylized sunflowers. Crafted in bronze and cut glass prisms, the widest ring is adorned with a continuou...
Category
1830s German Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Wrought Iron and Parcel Gilt Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
French wrought iron and parcel gilt 3-light sconces with shades, from Los Angeles estate, 1930s. Beautiful patina.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
Pair of Gilded 19th Century Italian Empire Lamps in Carved Wood
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of Antique 19th-Century Italian Empire Gilded Lamps in Carved Wood, centerpiece, made with early-1800s finials, vases on hexagonal plinth with vegetable pastille carving frames,...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold Leaf
Impressive French Empire Chandelier, Firegilded Bronze with Alabaster 1830s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Impressive fire-gilded Empire chandelier with very fine imperial and classicist ornaments, which are
shade is made of alabaster,
The lamp body is framed by a surrounding leaf frieze,...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair of Empire Candelabra of Ormolu and Patinated Bronze and Marble
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of late 19th century Empire bronze and ormolu candelabra.
- Caryatid herm female figures on marble block plinths.
- Three ormolu candle arms/cups
- Well modeled.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A Very Fine Pair of Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabra / Lamps
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome pair of Empire Period parcel gilt bronze 3 light candelabra of exceptional quality & fine proportions, having been converted to table lamps decades ago. Both showing ...
Category
Early 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
$6,187 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage Bronze French Empire Three-Arm Eagle Chandelier Light Fixture
Located in Toledo, OH
Gorgeous French Empire bronze chandelier with Eagle. Eagle with outspread wings sits atop three vines. Bronze shades holders have raised flowers. Each arm holds a flower form shade...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire style lamps
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of Empire-style lamps
Good condition
Thank you
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$713 / set
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
Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire Sconces
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Pair of gilt bronze three-arm Empire sconces with leaf detail.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$1,800 / set
Large Schoenbeck crystal chandelier empire style
Located in Houston, TX
The brilliance of the crystal makes this piece especially
Beautiful with forty one interior lights that reflect a
Colorful glow. It cascades from a crown at the upper
Structure and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Enhance the ambiance of your outdoor or indoor space with our Antique Iron Lantern Light fe...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Fine Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Four-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of fine and elegant antique French Empire gilt and patinated bronze four-light sconces. Each sconce is composed of a vertical backplate surm...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi, with its marble base, resume the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Bronze
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
20th Century Candelabra after Pierre Philippe Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Princely splendid candelabra after Pierre Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) exceptionally fine engraved and moulded bronze. Fully moulded designed f...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Fine Quality Pair of Early Empire Ormolu Mounted Cut Crystal Lamps
Located in New York, NY
The fine diamond cut crystal column-form table lamps supported by gilt bronze paw feet.
Date: Early 19th century
Origin: French
Dimension: 36 in x 10 in.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$7,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Large and Important Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large and important antique French Empire gilt bronze chandeliers, each of circular form with a white enamel central dish and multiple ormolu-mounted branches. The dishes a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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
French Empire Style Bronze and Alabaster Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Alabaster Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features best quality hand-chiseled details.
Top crowns in characterized by rich vegetal decoration with acanthus leaves acroterion and alabaster. Below a tortile rod hold, together with gilt bronze chains, the monolithic alabaster plate...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Monumental Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Austrian crystal chandelier with a solid bronze frame and faceted crystal, circa 1930s or older. This chandelier is perfect for large spaces, entryways, and hallways. A unique waterf...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
$8,015 Sale Price
30% Off
French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze Bouillotte lamp with 3 arms with dark green tole shade.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Marble Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French early 19th century Empire st. highly chased ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble, three arm candelabra, mounted into a lamp. The square Rouge Griotte marble base with or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, 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
Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and crystal basket chandelier attributed to Baccarat. 15-light
France, circa 1910.
Dimensions: Height 5...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabras
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning pair of gilded and patinated bronze candelabras, featuring a winged cupid. He is standing on a sphere and holding a torch, which is surrounded by three curving candle branch...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$9,393 / set
French 20th Century Empire Style Single Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage 20th century Empire style tole (lacquered metal) and parcel gilt bronze table lamp with new linen shade. This substantial Neoclassical fixture has an attractive balust...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Gold
Pair of French 1st Empire Dore Bronze Mtd. 5-Arm Mirrored Sconces, Att. Thomire
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of French 1st Empire Period Dore bronze mounted five-arm sconces/mirrors, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Each mirrored sconce is of octagonal form with a b...
Category
1810s French Antique 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
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
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 3-light torches in chased and gilded bronze, signed Barbedienne
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of three-light candelabra in chased and gilded bronze, signed F. Barbedienne, Paris. Barbedienne, Paris.
Elegant pair of Empire-style three-light candelabra in finely chased an...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Regency Crystal and Gilt Bronze 12-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 45 in (32 in+ 13 in/chain) / 115 cm (7...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Giltwood Two-Light Sconces Attributed to E.F Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Empire style giltwood two-light sconces, the backplate in the form of the harvest goddess Ceres, issuing two candle arms, the bottom half in the form of an anthemion, wired...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamp. This stunning lamp is raised on Ormolu pawed feet below the square base with a foliate desi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
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 French Three-Arm Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Lincoln, GB
19th-Century French Three-Arm Bouillotte Table Lamp
A beautifully cast and impressively weighty 19th-century French Bouillotte table lamp, executed in gilt bronze and retaining a sup...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Monumental French Bronze and Alabaster Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This monumental French bronze and alabaster Empire style chandelier is a breathtaking statement of grandeur, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. Featuring a finely carved alabaster...
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair Traditional Style Brass Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of traditional style brass chandeliers. Three arms each. Nice cast details. Very good quality, heavy for size. Nice petite size, 14" diameter x 22" long overall, including chain...
Category
20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
$1,495 / set
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Beautiful lamp purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with photos.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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
Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces, Lyre Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Empire style gilt-bronze two-light lyre sconces
Each pierced stringed lyre-form backplate with the mask of Apollo above two scrolling branches centered by a star over an acorn pendant.
Provenance:
Maison Tisserand, Paris.
C Property from the Estate of Roger Prigent.
Category
Early 20th Century French 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
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...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Tôle, Tin, Wire
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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