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.
2 brass and glass Peacock wall-sconces in Hollywood regency style
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...
Brass
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
Marbro *Original* Italian Porcelain Table Lamp! Only 1. Cobalt Blue 1960s Empire
Located in Peoria, AZ
***MARBRO ORIGINAL** GILDED EMPIRE STYLE PORCELAIN LAMP! The Only One in The World! CIRCA 1960 Incredible Midnight Color! A Cobalt Blue so Deep its almost Black! DI...
Metal, Gold
$15,040Sale Price|20% Off
A Pair of French Black Amethyst Crystal Pineapple Form Gilt Bronze Mounted Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A Fabulous Pair of French 20th Century Black Amethyst Cut Crystal Anannas/Pineapple shaped and Gilt Bronze Mounted Lamps. Each lamp consists of a base and a central body section comp...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE FURNISHED FOR FREE TO THE US BUYERS
Brass
Pair Empire Malachite Gilt Torcheres Floor Lamps 8 Ft
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an incredible pair of large Empire style floor lamps or torchieres Hand crafted from gilt and faux malachite The faux malachite is painted porcelain which looks very...
Paint
1930 Louise XIV Style Sunburst Shape Bronze Sconces 2 lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1930 French Louise XIV style bronze sunburst sconces with 2 lights
Bronze
Antique Chandelier. Empire style chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and rare Empire style chandelier with elaborate gilt bronze frame and crystal pyramids and pendalogues. France, circa 1900. Dimensions: Height 58" Diameter 34"
Crystal, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century. Dimens...
Composition
$13,092Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Crystal, Bronze
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...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu And Baccarat Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and very high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Baccarat crystal chandelier. The twelve arm sixteen light chandelier is centered by a striking solid cryst...
Crystal, Ormolu
$12,273Sale Price / set|25% Off
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...
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 ...
Bronze
Large Gilt Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
A large very well cast and gilt bronze chandelier or plafonnier from the late 19th to early 20th century. The large acanthus leafed ceiling rose suspending five rope twist bars, whic...
Bronze
$2,728 / set
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...
Metal
Empire Revival Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pendant Chandelier, circa 1910
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Revival gilt-bronze and cut-glass pendant chandelier. French, circa 1910. Of globular form this fine chandelier has a central gilt-bronze band cast with vases issuin...
Bronze
Schonbek 6 Light 5692 Crystal Milano Chandelier 31 X 27
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Schonbek 6 Light 5692 Crystal Milano Chandelier 31 X 27 Dimensions : 31" Tall X 27" Wide X 27" Deep This chandelier was made by Schonbek and is their 5692-87F Milano chandelier. Th...
Crystal, Metal
Pr. French Empire Period Dore Bronze Column Shaped Lamps by Thomire à Paris
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of French Empire Period Dore Bronze Column Shaped Lamps, Signed, By Thomire à Paris These lamps are formed as tall, columnar shafts rising from square bases. Each base is mou...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twenty lights and features high quality handcrafted details. Top crowns in characterized...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconce
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A precious gilt bronze two-light wall sconce in the Empire style, France, 1920-1929. Finely elaborate with hand chiseled details. Typical design of French Empire period due to its rich ornamentation with faces and acanthus leaf motifs. The bottom is characterized by a man head supporting a pedestal with the lamp-arms. Two scroll light...
Bronze
19th Century Antique Tuscan Giltwood and Faux Porphyry Wall Sconces
Located in Firenze, IT
A rare pair of antique Tuscan Empire giltwood and faux porphyry wall sconces from a historic Italian villa, masterfully carved with stunning gold leaf details. This exceptional pair ...
Bronze, Iron, Gold Leaf
$9,257Sale Price|25% Off
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...
Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Chandelier with Eagle Heads and Arrows, 1930s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A large French empire style six-light gilt and patinated bronze chandelier with eagle heads and arrows, circa 1930s. Socket: 6 x E14 for standard screw bulb.
Bronze
Noble 20th Century in Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and antique silvered. Columns as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms. (T-Ra-11).
Bronze
Pair of Laudarte Grifone Empire Style Wall Lights, Ancient Gold 24k
By Laudarte Srl
Located in GB
Grifone is an Italian Classic wall sconce made with two lights, designed by Giovanni Maria Ma in the empire style, bronze with ancient gold 24k finish, marble and malachite inserts. ...
Malachite, Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and stately pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu lamps. This handsome pair of lamps are raised by triangular shaped bases with concave sid...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Sac a Pearl Lustre Ceiling Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing two exquisite basket chandeliers, available as a pair! Both have been lovingly and professionally restored in Berlin, with electrical wiring compatible with the US. They ...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$2,104Sale Price / set|55% Off
Maison Lucien Gau bronze wall lighting model Swann Empire , France 1960s
Located in La xara, VC
The wall sconces correspond to the swan model by Maison Lucien Gau, a Parisian bronze art manufacturer specializing in bronze lighting since 1860, still active today. Model Identifi...
Bronze
French 19th century Empire Period Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most decorative French 19th century Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805. This wonderful eight light oval shaped chandelier is centered...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques
Located in IT
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques This particular pair of appliques, in chiseled and gilded bronze, dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century. Made ...
Bronze
Black Lacquered Wood Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
Black lacquered wood empire style table lamp stencil with gilded motifs
Wood
$3,800 / set
1920's French Empire Black Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1920's empire style sconces with Blackmoore putti.
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Bronze and Ormolu Seven-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu seven light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine ormolu acorn inverted finial below a richly chased base with most decorative foliate patterns in a striking satin and burnished finish. Each of the six scrolled ormolu arms display fine foliate chasing and candle cups, with rich foliate reserves at the rim. Three ormolu supports...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces in the Empire taste. Great Detail. Original gilding. France, circa 1900. 2 lights each Dimensions: Height 24" (excluding candles) Width...
Bronze
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Glass and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and wonderfully detailed pair of French 19th century Empire st. Glass and Ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by a square lattice cut column with an Ormolu plinth and capita...
Ormolu
$1,357
Black Marble Lamp
Located in London, England
Fabulous quality table lamp in marble and brass. France circa 1900.
Marble, Brass
Pair of Large Brass Table Lamps by Willy Daro, Belgium, 1970s
By Willy Daro
Located in Beerse, VAN
A pair of large table lamps by Belgian designer Willy Daro, dating from the 1970s. The tall rectangular bases are crafted from brass and divided into vertical panels, giving the lam...
Brass
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Candle Wall Sconces Candlestick, Italy, 1970s
By Palladio
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of giltwood candlestick wall sconces 1970s in empire style. Each fixture requires two candles. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement.
Metal
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier, Neo-Classical Design, 1880
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire Style (1880) gilt bronze 5-light chandelier in neo-classic form with sphinx figures, ancient urns, medallion heads and multi-patterned reserves.
Metal, Bronze
Pair 19thc French Neoclassic Gilt Bronze Horns & Arrow Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Lovely Pair French Empire Neoclassic Gilt Bronze Horns & Arrows Wall Sconces. Very nicely detailed. Parisian Estate.
Bronze
$1,232Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Glass
$2,197Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Bronze Crossed Arrows Wall Sconces
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of bronze wall sconces present a chiseled macarrons with two crossed arrows. This is a French work in the Empire style. Circa 1950
Bronze
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Antique French "Empire" Bronze Fish/ Dolphin/ Sea Creature/ Koi Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare 19thc French Antique Empire Bronze Fish/ Sea Creature/ Dolphin Chandelier. 3 fish with curled tails. Floral Art Glass shades. Parisian Estate a...
Bronze
$736Sale Price / set|55% Off
Maison Lucien Gau bronze wall lighting model Swann Empire Pair, France 1960s
Located in La xara, VC
The wall sconces correspond to the swan model by Maison Lucien Gau, a Parisian bronze art manufacturer specializing in bronze lighting since 1860, still active today. Model Identifi...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Superb gilt bronze & crystal Empire style Chandelier. Top ring featuring anthemia. Main ring with winged deity carrying gilt torcheres. The bottom part consists of seven concentric...
Crystal, Bronze
$4,340Sale Price|38% Off
Empire french bronze chandelier in gold-plated with 'Quimeras" circa 1800
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible chandelier in bronze and gold empire circa 1800 with "Quimeras" for 6 lights.
Gold, Bronze
Large Pair of French Empire Period Candelabra, Attributed to Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent large pair of five-light doré bronze and patinated bronze Empire period candelabra, attributed to Claude Galle made in the early 1800s. This pair of candelabra are set ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Sconces Wall Lights, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming pair of sconces. Perfect to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an entryway as a charming welcom...
Metal
Swedish Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Basket Chandelier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Swedish Empire style gilt-bronze and cut-crystal tent and basket chandelier. Swedish, Circa 1825.
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu chandelier. This exceptional four arm eight light circular chandelier is centered by an Ormolu acorn bottom f...
Ormolu
19th Century Empire Style French Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Majestic basket chandelier in French. Empire style in 1900. Bronze, gilded. Basket-shaped, profile-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prism strings. In the course, con...
Bronze
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each stunning candlestick mounted into a lamp is raised on four Ormolu lion paws below a ...
Crystal, Ormolu
French Empire Style Crystal Glass Pineapple Column Brass Table Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Vintage French Empire Style Crystal Glass Pineapple Column Brass Table Lamp. Measuring 6.5" in diameter and 28.5" in height.
Crystal
19t Century Pair French Empire Lamps Paris Porcelain (Rust) Ormolu Mounts
Located in Phoenix, AZ
19th Century Scottish Etched Glass Compote. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Porcelain
Empire-style Bouillotte Lamp
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large Empire-style hot-water bottle lamp in gilded bronze with an oval painted sheet metal shade. Two light arms, faux opaline candles. Made in France, circa 1950 Very good condition...
Bronze
20th Century Seven Lights Italian Solid Silver Candelabra Empire revival
By Arno Fassi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Magnificent Empire style candelabra in solid 800 silver The base is square with lion paw-shaped feet. Two frames with the typical palmettes of the Empire style frame a second smaller square decorated with 4 central flowers. The stem of the candelabra is a statue of a woman (goddess) with her hair gathered and holding a cornucopia in one hand ending with the main candle holder. The candelabra has 7 lights. The arms of the candelabra, made with the casting technique, have candle holders and wax collectors also made with the casting technique and finely chiseled. The central candle holder stands out for its height which surpasses all the other candle holders, making the candelabra slim and balanced in shape and proportions. A classic example of high quality Italian silverware suitable to be placed in elegant and prestigious homes. Made in Milan - Italy by Fassi silverware Silver 800°°/°°° Candelabra Empire...
Silver
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Sconces, Circa 1830-1850.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Museum Quality Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Sconces, Circa 1830-1850.
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns Wired as Lamps
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns, Wired as Lamps. Featuring ornate swag garlands and rams heads, with a frieze of dancing putti.
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Antique Empire Style Figural Dore Bronze Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine twin light candelabra form table lamps. A black figure of winged Victory supports twin dore double horn form arms with fine details and sockets with gray wood faux candles. She...
Bronze