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.
5
867
57
7
to
89
520
371
931
908
924
54,823
21,050
8,970
6,995
3,685
2,821
2,072
1,519
1,486
931
817
772
670
621
497
387
230
120
12
402
453
64
187
118
49
38
12
47
41
20
17
9
18
4
5
Height
to
Width
to
663
324
46
58
35
44
33
39
28
31
27
30
846
581
278
210
176
800
562
98
36
34
18
9
2
2
2
Style: Empire
21st Century Baroque Brass Empire Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Baroque Empire brass chandelier, an exquisite piece with fascinating embellishments reminiscent of the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new reproduct...
Category
2010s German Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
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 Empire Style Glass and Bronze Two-Light Pendant Chandelier, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style glass and bronze two-light Pendant Chandelier, circa the 1950s.
This absolutely adorable Empire-style chandelier features a bronze frame with two arrows and two b...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Empire Bronze Chandelier with Palmetto Crown and Flame Center
Located in Madrid, ES
An Original 19th Century Empire bronze chandelier. The piece is beautifully suspended from a palmetto crown by five link chains ...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Brass, Bronze and Frosted Glass Three-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style brass, bronze, and frosted glass three-light chandelier from ca 1950s.
This adorable and compact Empire-style chandelier features a circular brass body and three...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candelabra from the 1830s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in gilt and dark patinated metal. Originally a pair of Empire candelabra from the 1830s, converted to tablelamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly ...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Empire Style Pair Of Italian Bronze And Brass Column Table Lamps
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Exce...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
A classical wall light with an ornate design
Located in London, GB
The Empire wall light is a decorative two-branch piece from luxury British brand Beaumont & Fletcher. Its intricate design includes a hoop of richly carved leaves suspended from a ri...
Category
2010s British Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Beautiful pair of 1940's French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Czech Crystal Tent & Bag Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Bohemian Tent and Bag, or Sack of Pearls chandelier made of hundreds of crystal strands. This one is particularly special with a skirt of spear-shaped leaded crystals and beaded g...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Gaetano Sciolari Pair of Solid Brass and Glass Lanterns or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Pair of Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made by Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes four E14 European s...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Vintage French Napoleonic Table Lamps Tripod Base Lion Paws Empire Lamps a Pair
By Frederick Cooper, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Gilbert Poillerat, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Stiffel
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage French Empire Table Lamps
Style: Vintage Antique, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Baroque,
Design: Traditional Napoleonic Column lamps in the manner of Chapman, He...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
Table lamp, early 20th century, Empire style, bronze and onyx
Located in Monza, IT
Table lamp, early 20th century, Empire style, bronze and onyx
Elegant table lamp made of onyx and bronze decorations, Empire style.
The object has a base so well made that it is aest...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of late 19th Century French Empire sconces with cherubs body, two lights. originally for candles, newly rewired for US
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Solid Brass and Glass Lantern or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made in the style of the Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes three E14 ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Period Giltwood Eagle Sconces, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of giltwood sconces dates to circa 1815, at the end of the period of French history when Napoleon was the emperor, known as the Empire Style. As Napoleon envisioned himself...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Empire style twelve light crystal and bronze antique chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Fine antique clear crystal chandelier having 12 lights.
It is in the empire style with the lights surrounding the
Outer rim of the fixture. The wiring is good and the crystal is
Comp...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique French Empire Napoleonic Table Lamps Lion Paws Cast Iron a pair
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Frederick Cooper, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Stiffel, Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Tall French Empire Table Lamps
Style, Vintage, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Baroque,
Design: Traditional Napoleonic Column lamps in the manner of Chapman, Henredon,
Fre...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Iron
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights.
This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Chandelier Vintage Crystal Brass Pendant Lighting With 3 Light Points, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Adorable Crystal Chandelier with Brass Frame, for 3 light points.
Richly Decorated chandelier with decorative elements and pendants made of transparent crystal.
One of the main ad...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Italian Empire Beaded Crystal Chandelier Six Light
Located in Milan, IT
A stunning Empire Crystal chandelier of Italian origin, coming from a Tuscan private palazzo in Florence dating back to the early 19th century.
Repoussé brass, iron and crystal are...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Brass
French Empire Carved Marble Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire carved marble and brass table lamp. This marble lamp is shaped like an urn with gold gilt brass trim and paw feet with a complimentary new linen drum shade. Recently ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass four
Located in Berlin, DE
**Set of 6 Available - Vintage Chandeliers from a Baltic Sea Castle**
Here's a unique opportunity to acquire a set of 6 exquisite vintage chandeliers, each originating from a castle...
Category
Early 18th Century European Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
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
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Fench 1920's Bronze Empire Wall Sconces, 3 Available
Located in Fairfax, VA
Three arm bronze and black lacquer on bronze wall sconces.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Price per item 3 available.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Italian Marble and Gold Gilt Bronze Corinthian Column Table Lamps a pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage High end Italian green marble and gold gilded bronze corinthian column table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps
Des...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
Early French Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Chandelier, 3 Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Empire Style early round Bronze and Crystal Chandelier with 3 Light-sockets in the center.
Wired for the US and takes 3 candelabra light bulbs max. 60 watts.
In original vintage c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair 19th Century Empire Table Lamps
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of 19th Century Empire table lamps with three brass legs, ormolu eagle busts in relief and Corinthian style capitals. The pair sit on triform bases featuring lion paw feet on si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Large Antique French Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large antique French Empire-style alabaster, frosted glass, and bronze pendant chandelier from circa 1890.
An impressive and large twelve-light alabaster pendant chandelier from the ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Hanging Chandelier Pendant
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style chandelier pendant with cast glass dish and bronze details. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel...
Category
20th Century American Empire Lighting
Materials
Steel
Small Gilt Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Decorative Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Empire style Chandelier. 6 lights. France, circa 1920.
Dimensions: Height 25" Diameter 16"
CW5549
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Period Empire Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Magnificent Period Empire Chandelier. Gitl Bronze (matte & burnished) and Patinated Bronze. Exquisite detail throughout. A rare find. France, circa 1800.
Dimensions: Height 40 1/2...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE TUNDISH CHANDELIER IN IRON AND CRYSTALS
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful and elegant tundish chandelier with twelve lights. Made of wrought iron with lead bobèches and cast metal candle holders, this chandelier features bands painted in a delica...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Wrought Iron, Lead
Large Empire Style Bronze Pillar Floor Lamp with a Frosted Glass Globe Shade
Located in Dubai, AE
Antique floor pole lamp in dark patinated bronze on a tree-claw-feet elevated base. Decorated with gild friezes on the top part and completed with a globe frosted glass cover, that ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Palace French Empire Chandelier 24 Candles
Located in STRAČOV, CZ
Palace French Empire Chandelier 24 Candles
A large and heavy chandelier from the 19th century in the Empire style. An elegant palatial chandelier that can be used with candles or el...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier, Pair
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
H...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Eighteen Light Bronze Empire Chandelier.
Located in Fairfax, VA
French large bronze eighteen light chandelier with black lacquered center part.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Height can be adjusted by removing some of the chain.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Tent & Basket Chandelier, France, Circa:1910
Located in Alexandria, VA
This armless tent-and-basket chandelier was hand crafted in the Empire style in Paris in the early days of electrified light fixtures. Inside the bronze frame, hidden by the tent of ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Painted Tole Oil Burning Chandelier now Electrified, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Completely original with a canopy of palm fronds issuing three lengths of hand forged chain supporting a large perforated ring with a stretcher that originally held lamp oil, now wir...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Tin
Grande Lampadario Impero Dorato Italiano con Cristalli 1780 Circa Sedici Luci
Located in Milan, IT
Monumentale Lampadario Impero a sedici bracci, antico lampadario piemontese, la regione del nord Italia che confina con la Francia, di epoca Impero, realizzato a mano in ferro e cris...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very stylish 19th century Empire style 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilt bronze, lit by three curvaceous 'swans head' arms and topped with a green lacquered metal (tole) shade adorne...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Two-Light Candelabra Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a desk or library with this elegant antique three-arm candelabra converted into a table lamp. Created in France, circa 1860, the fixture sits on a triangle base embellished ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in bronze, early 19th Century France, originally candlesticks.
Includes new black lacquer lampshade with gold details, giving the lamp a warm and ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in gilt Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in th...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of French turn of the century woos sconces ( Empire style )
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of French wood sconces, Empire style, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Wood
Pair French Empire Style Gilt Metal Sconces with Sunburst Motif
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique gilt metal sconces in the French Empire style with sunburst motif, candelabra size sockets and white candle covers, modern wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Basket Chandelier Brass Empire Crystal Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our beautifully restored old chandelier from Berlin! This exquisite piece has been professionally refurbished with love, making it suitable for use in the US with its rew...
Category
1970s European Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
Maitland Smith French Empire Figural Phoenix Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental late 20th century Maitland Smith Empire style Bouillote / Budoir lamp. Made from brass with a pierced and paw footed base over an acanthus wrapped column leading to a figural winged Phoenix / Griffon candlestick...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Basket Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 19th century French Empire style basket chandelier. Featuring a decorative bronze base, chain and canopy an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Italy Post-Modern Sky Blue Porcelain Brass Chandelier 9 Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 9 lights Chandelier in sky-blue color, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in stock un...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Gilded Crystal 18 Light French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Empire style gilded bronze chandelier with 18 lights. This has been newly restored and rewired and is ready to ship. This was retrieved from an estate located in Green...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Alexandre Vossion, and Maison Baguès. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $194 and tops out at $220,000 while the average work can sell for $4,434.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Pair Nightstand Table Lamps
Pair Of Porcelain Side Tables
Ph5 Chandelier
Polished Brass And Alabaster Chandelier
Poul Henningsen Ph5 Pendant
Retro Heat Lamp
Ribbed Pendant Light
Round Brass Ball
Small French Pendant Lights
Small Venini Chandelier
Smoked Glass Globe Chandelier
Table Lamp Murano Orange
Victorian Style Lamps
Vintage Bedroom Ceiling Light
Vintage Blue Stem Glasses
Vintage Carved Alabaster Lamp
White Globe Black Chandelier
1970 Metal Globe Lamp