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
Monumental Antique French 24 lights Chandelier in Gilt Bronze and Crystal
Located in Casteren, NL
A grand and richly decorated French chandelier, crafted around 1880. This impressive piece is a fine example of late 19th-century French lighting design, where technical sophisticati...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Elegant Pair of Empire Bronze Table Lamps, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Bronze Table Lamps, France, 1820s
Elegant pair of French table lamps crafted from original bronze Empire candlesticks, dating from the 1820s. The design features cla...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Crystal and Brass Galleon Ship Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a brass and crystal galleon ship chandelier. This chandelier has been intricately designed with many hand-crafted crystals. This piece was made around the secon...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5" W...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly rewired electrici...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Antique Empire Style Figural Dore Bronze Table Lamps With Shades
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...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Swan French Brass Empire Chandelier Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Baroque Empire Chandelier, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is a new reproduction, and several are available, ensuring you can bring this classic beauty to your space.
Measuring a total height of 140 cm, with a height of 90 cm without the chain, and a diameter of 73 cm, this chandelier weighs approximately 18 kg.
With 8-light bulb sockets (E14 base), this chandelier offers a radiant glow, making it a striking centerpiece in any space. Its wiring is compatible with the USA, ensuring easy installation and convenience.
Experience the beauty of this chandelier with confidence, as it features new electricity and a new cable, ready to hang and enchant your surroundings. The total length of the chandelier is variable, providing flexibility to suit your specific preferences and room size.
Indulge in the grandeur of this Brass Empire Chandelier...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Wire
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
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
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Pair Of Bronze French Empire Style Candelabra Lamps/ Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of cast bronze French Empire column form candelabras with 6 lights, now mounted as double socket lamps. The lamps with gilded columns and foliate and anthemion capitals, fluted ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Angel Brass Empire Chandelier Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Baroque Empire Chandelier, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is a new reproduction, and several are available, ensuring you can bring this classic beauty to your space.
Measuring a total height of 140 cm, with a height of 99 cm without the chain, and a diameter of 83 cm, this chandelier weighs approximately 18 kg.
With 18-light bulb sockets (E14 base), this chandelier offers a radiant glow, making it a striking centerpiece in any space. Its wiring is compatible with the USA, ensuring easy installation and convenience.
Experience the beauty of this chandelier with confidence, as it features new electricity and a new cable, ready to hang and enchant your surroundings. The total length of the chandelier is variable, providing flexibility to suit your specific preferences and room size.
Indulge in the grandeur of this Brass Empire Chandelier...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Wire
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
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
Bronze and Green Sheet Metal Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice Empire style chandelier is made of green sheet metal and gilded bronze, decorated with chiseled ornaments and palm leaves. This is a French work. Circa 1920
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Corton Clarinet Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Corton clarinet made in Czechoslovakia and upcycled into a fabulous table lamp mounted on a beautiful onyx base with a vintage black silk shade. The clarinet shows signs of being a much loved and used musical instrument...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Empire Lighting
Materials
Onyx, Metal
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
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
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Wire
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Carved Alabaster Urn Table Lamp - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Carved Alabaster Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 28.5" H (to finial) x 19" H (to light socket) x 4.5" W x 4....
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster
French Lamps Empire Bouillotte Empire Wall Sconces Regency Gold and Blue A pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
A pair French gold gilded bronze Bouilotte Wall Sconces, Empire Revival.
With matching cyan blue lampshades with a gold interior.
Style: French, Empire, English Mansion, Regency, Hol...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
French Antique Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp in with Tole Lampshade
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century three-light 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilded bronze and brass, with unusual duck's head styled arms and a typical green lacquered metal (tole) shade. Designed in...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn
Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Italian Genovese Empire Chandelier 1780 in Gilded Wood and Crystal Twelve Lights
Located in Milano, MI
Extraordinary Genovese Chandelier circa 1780 with Twelve Lights with transparent and blue crystals. Large Empire chandelier in Sculpted and Gilded Wood from the late 18th century, li...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Antique French Blue Opaline Glass Table Lamp
Located in Rochester, NY
1930's French blue opaline glass table lamp w/ brass fittings. 40" h to top of brass finial / 25" h to top of electric socket x 6 1/2" diam...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp.
Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three dolphin decorated scrolled arms. A finely chiselled stem...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
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
Empire Bronze Figural Swan Chandelier
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s
Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs.
Rare French Empire style bronze tole chandelier...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps.
Pair of elegant antique French Empire bronze four light candelabras converted to table lamps. The outstandi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Brass Chandelier Crystal Lustre Ceiling Light Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing an exquisite Empire Brass Chandelier, adorned with sparkling crystals, and professionally restored with love in Berlin. This timeless piece has been thoughtfully re-wired...
Category
1940s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
20th Century French Empire 5 Light Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful 19th century French Empire style chandelier with 5 lights. Beautiful decorative detail on the base and arms.
A classic fixture that is sure to impress!!
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century Large Crystal and Bronze Chandelier of 12 Lights
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A glittering gilt brass, bronze and cut crystal tiered chandelier of twelve lights, dating from the second half of the 19th century. This truly magnificent piece features a crisply c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Balustrade Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
Great looking pair of shaped column form on round base. Made of antique cast stone balustrade from French Chateau. Lamps comes with Belgium linen shades. Lamp sockets are two differ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Cast Stone
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier in Bronze and Crystal
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant Empire style hot air balloon chandelier is made of bronze and lead crystal. The fixture is decorated with arrows and swan's necks. This is a a fine French...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
A French Figural Bronze Inkwell Desk Lamp with Tole Shade
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Figural Bronze Inkwell Desk Lamp with Tole Shade, Late 19th / Early 20th Century
French double inkwell figural bronze desk lamp, comprised of a central winged bronze cherub...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Lavender Purple Chandelier, circa 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare lavender purple crystal prisms throughout and huge smooth lavend...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style brass and crystal glass basket chandelier.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has an or...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past
Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Gilt Bronze Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in Toronto, CA
This is an incredibly unique, Empire, gilt bronze lamp, most probably French and from the late 19th century. The lamp has a lantern shape with a claw foot base and an elongated swan ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Alabaster and Brass Chandelier 27 X 27 X 27
Located in Long Branch, NJ
French Empire Style Alabaster and Brass Chandelier 27 X 27 X 27
Dimensions : 27 X 27 X 27
This gorgeous chandelier was made in the French empire style and was most likely made in I...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, 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 is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
ONE OF A KIND!! 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...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Pair Patinated Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Bronze Empire style column table lamps. Ready to use. Nice condition. Very good quality. Very heavy. 30” top of finial,
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Baloon Chandelier, France Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
French Empire Style Chandelier, France Early 20th Century.
Small French balloon chandelier, in gilded and chiseled bronze with Empire palmet...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Empire Style Gilt-Brass and Glass Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features an Empire style Gilt-brass and cut-glass chandelier that houses five candlestick lights and is approximately 18" in diameter and 29" tall. This chandelier is ac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Fine Ormolu and Cut Glass Empire Period Chandelier
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The ormolu finely decorated corona hung with swags of icicle drops and strings cascading down to a corresponding main band supporting fifteen candle branch arranged on two tiers the ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Provenance: ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold 2
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac-a-Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with mesmerizing crystals, evoking the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new re...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Gold, Brass
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Chandelier, 1920's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Charming French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1920s.
This lovely piece has an ornate bronze frame hung with prisms of crystal glass.
The crystal glass pr...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Late 19th Century Empire Style Gilded Bronze and Crystals Chandelier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and refined italian Empire style late 19th century chandelier with ten lights of which six on the outer circumference and four that illuminate the interior, called a hot-ai...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Chapman Neoclassical French Empire Style Brass Torch Shaped Table Lamp Paw Foot
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 1997 Chapman Brass table lamp in the shape of a neoclassical torch with black accents on a square base with paw feet. A stunning lamp ...
Category
1990s Empire Lighting
Materials
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 is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 19th Century Pair of Gold Wall Mirrors Candle Holders
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Pair of Empire Candle Sconce Wall Mirrors featuring carved harps as well as trompets. These wall mounted candle holders make a great addition to any living room, bedroom, ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood, Paint
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five-Arm Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five Candelabra Light Chandelier, This Fixture Comes With Shades That Maybe Removed
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Experience the grandeur of the 19th century with this elegant French Empire-style chandelier. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the piece features a sturdy bronze framewor...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Rarity Pair Low Plafonnier Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Lustre Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Presenting a pair of exquisite basket chandeliers, designed to complement each other perfectly. Both chandeliers have been thoughtfully restored and revitalized to their original gra...
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820
A beautiful and elegant pair of bronze table lamps, originally crafted as Empire candlesticks in France ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal Crystal Chandelier
Located in Astoria, NY
Italian Empire Style Ten-Light Gilt Metal Crystal Chandelier, with suspended crystal canopy and swags with drop crystal prism accents. 40" H x 24" Diameter. Provenance: From a New Yo...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal
French Bronze Chandelier With Crystal Beaded Cup Early 1900s
Located in Milano, MI
Early 1900s French Bronze And Crystal Entrance Chandelier with the reflective body composed of an inverted dome of English pearls with a sloping diameter. The frame of this Empire-st...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Marvelous MARBRO Mid Century Polished Brass Table Lamp! Huge Showpiece Lighting
Located in Peoria, AZ
SENSATIONAL!
MID CENTURY
MONUMENTAL
BRASS MARBRO LAMP!
MID CENTURY DECORATION ICON!
DUAL PULL STRING SOCKETS!
POLISHED BRASS
ORIGINAL SHADE & BRASS FINIAL
DIMENSIONS: 40" x 21"
In the forties and fifties, decorators would choose the most impressive lamp they could obtain and place it in a home's "picture window" so that all passerby and visitors could glimpse just how well the occupants lived!
Picture windows started disappearing in the late sixties, but demand for monumental lighting...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Gold
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.