French Bronze Empire Chandelier with Demeter Finial, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
French bronze Empire style chandelier with the goddess Demeter as the center finial.
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lighting
Bronze
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.
French Bronze Empire Chandelier with Demeter Finial, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
French bronze Empire style chandelier with the goddess Demeter as the center finial.
Bronze
$3,173Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Swan Chandelier, Gilt Bronze, French Empire Style, Circa 1880
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Classic model for this French Empire chandelier, perfect in any particular: gilt bronze, classic swan, green nail, 6 lights. It's perfect ! over Your table or sleeping room...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century bronze and gilded ormolu French Empire influenced chandelier. Having a classical ceiling rose with three foliate linked chains...
Bronze
Vintage Pair Of Wall Lights, Circa 1960 in Chiseled and Gilded Bronze, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An elegant Pair Of Louis XVI style Wall Lights Circa 1960 in finely chiseled and gilded bronze with two light arms. Fake opaline candles. Manufactured in France, 1960s. They're op...
Bronze
Pair of 1960s French "Bastille Day" Painted Tin Wall Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant pair of 1960s French "Bastille Day" sconces in painted tole tinwork, in the style of Maison Baguès. The bundle of rods at the center reference the ancient Roman symbol of the...
Tin
Swedish Empire Cut Crystal and Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
With a five outscrolled electrified candlearms issuing from a bronze ring hung with crystal beaded swags and drop pendants, hung from four chains suspended from a disc issuing arched cut glass pendants; with canopy...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Tôle Peinte Lamps, Red and Gilt, circa 1815
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A pair of French Empire tôle peinte bough pots, circa 1815, each of square tapering form in a deep burgundy-red ground, decorated in gilt with a classical dancing figure holding a th...
Metal
Mid century vintage Italian brass and porcelain whimsical decorator lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid-century vintage Italian made decorator table lamp. The table lamp features a botanical inspired bouquet flowers with handmade porce...
Metal
Pair of Empire Style Black Stone and Ormolu Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each candleholder of columnar form surmounted with ormolu stiff-leaf capitals and with acanthus-wrapped base, on pedestal bases with outswept scrolling feet. Fitted with two brass bulb sockets. Adjustable. Later mounded as a lamps. With duck blue...
Stone, Brass, Ormolu
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
Brass
19th Century French Empire Green Patinated Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th Century French empire style double lights sconces, green patinated bronze.
Bronze
Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century. The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Oak
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 ...
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1900 French Empire Sconces With Swams
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1900 French Empire sconces with swan's head
Bronze
$36,000Sale Price|20% Off
Russian Crystal, Cobalt Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier Attributed to Zekh
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare and important Russian late 18th Century twelve candle crystal chandelier attributed to the renowned firm of Johann Zekh. Crafted in Sa...
Crystal
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Ormolu Caduceus Wall Appliques, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of late 19th century Empire gilt bronze ormolu wall appliques of arms holding Caduceus staffs, France By: unknown Material: bronze, copper, metal, cord, ormolu Technique: cast,...
Metal, Bronze, Copper, Ormolu
Very Fine Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt and painted bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring 8 swans carrying stylized candle cups. All original. Measures: Height 37", width 26", 8-light CW4449.
Bronze
$26,137Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Very Large French 19th Century Gilded Bronze Sconces
By Pierre Bureaux
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of very large French 19th Century gilded bronze sconces. Last picture in situ. Empire style, three-branch wall-lights, after a model by Edme Jean Gallien (1720-1797) and Pierre ...
Bronze
Gilded Bronze Floor Lamp by Edward F. Caldwell & Co
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous antique floor lamp by Edward F. Caldwell has a sleek design with a strong gilded cast bronze base with foliage motif and wreath lip. A fluted pole extends from the base...
Bronze
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Bronze, Ormolu
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 ...
Ormolu
$9,238Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Crystal, Brass
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Bronze
18th Century Italian Empire Style Repousse and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional 18th century Italian Empire style Brass and crystal basket style chandelier. Featuring glistening crystals and a repousse' Greek key design around the base. Stunning!!
Crystal, Brass
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Caryatid Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and dore trim 8 scroll arm chandelier with 4 caryatid females.
Bronze
$1,306Sale Price / set|30% 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
Pair of French Empire Dore & Patinated Bronze Egyptian Revival 3-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze & Patinated Bronze Egyptian Revival 3-Light Sconces/wall lights Each wall sconce is constructed with a vertically oriented rectangular backplat...
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
Two Empire wall sconces. Bronze, Glass, France, circa 1900
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of appliques. Bronze, glass. Empire style, France, circa 1900. Both are practically the same, each wall light has three points of light and a decoration and lines that respond...
Bronze, Other
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...
Bronze
$3,842Sale Price|50% Off
Italian 1950s Empire Silvered Swooping Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful Empire style Italian chandelier in the style of Buccellati. Rewired. 12 Light sources. Candelabra sockets. Rewired. 23” is the body. The chain can be adjusted to your nee...
Silver, Bronze, Enamel
Pair of French 1920s Empire Style Bronze and Opaline Glass Table Lamps, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style bronze and opaline glass candelabra table lamps from the early 20th century, with scrolling arms and volutes. Created in France during the first quarter of the 20th century, each of this pair of table lamps attracts our attention with its bronze scrolling arms resting upon a white opaline glass pedestal. Raised on a tripartite base accented with delicate volutes, the candelabras have been rewired for the US. With their Empire silhouette...
Bronze
$5,200 / set
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.
Brass
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Period French Empire Crystal and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19th century period French Empire chandelier in crystal and gilded bronze. The typical basket form surrounds a central shaft, the top of which is decorated with gilded palmettes and terminates in four curved supports to the central corona. The gilded corona...
Crystal, Bronze
French Neoclassical Empire Style Chandelier, Bronze and Crackle Finish, 1970s
Located in Warsaw, PL
A striking French neoclassical chandelier in the Empire style, featuring six curved arms radiating from a central spherical body with a beautiful crackle lacquer finish in warm golde...
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
Modern Gold Chandelier Crystals Empire Basket New Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
An elegant chandelier featuring a dense crystal structure and a distinctive shape. Its tapering form and decorative upper elements lend the chandelier a sophisticated and high-end a...
Crystal
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. ...
Ormolu
Elegant French Empire Doré Bronze Crystal Three-Light Fixture Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Very fine, beautifully detailed French doré bronze and crystal three-arm chandelier with flame top urn centre in the neoclassical style.
Crystal, Bronze
Custom Made Brass Lantern Chandelier Circular Glass Pendant Light 6 Light Fixtur
Located in Berlin, DE
This exceptional lantern is our own original creation, handcrafted in our workshop with the highest level of precision and attention to detail. Every element is carefully made by han...
Brass
Set of Four Empire Ormolu Three-Light Wall Sconces, Attributed to Ravrio
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each backplate topped with a mask of Athena surmounted by an owl and ending in a stylized bellflower and anthemion, issuing three leaf-wrapped scrolling arms. Electrified. André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814) was a French sculptor in bronze and was made a master founder in 1777 setting up in business 1790. Although Ravrio enjoyed success during Louis XVI’s reign, he achieved far greater fame under Napoleon. He took part in the first Exposition de l’Industrie, Paris, 1803 and then won a silver medal there in 1806. The same year he supplied a number of bronze furnishings for the Empress Joséphine’s apartments in the Tuileries and in 1810 was appointed as the Emperor’s chief bronzier. In this capicity he supplied some of the finest Empire bronze pieces, girandoles, candelabras and lamps as well as ornate furniture...
Bronze
$3,360Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of English Adam Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please note lamp shades NOT included. Pair of Antique silver plated table lamps. Originally oil lamps converted to electric/plug in.
Crystal, Silver Plate
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in ...
Brass
19th Century French Empire Bronze 8 Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century French Empire style bronze chandelier with 8 lights. Beautiful decorative detail on the base and arms. A classic fixture that is sure to impress!!
Bronze
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Small Empire Style Crystal and Gilt Bronze Basket Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A small scale Empire style basket chandelier with lighting to the top, middle, and bottom sections. Each section is framed in gilded bronze supporting chains of cut crystal beads. Th...
Bronze
French Empire Style Chandelier, Bronze Swan Arms, Green Body, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful French Empire-style chandelier features six bronze swan arms. Dark green painted body with decorative bronze mounts and richly ornate pine finial, on top centered with...
Brass, Bronze
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Alabaster, Bronze
$139,988Sale Price|33% 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...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Brass Art Deco Nickel Plated Brass Shell Shade Desk Table Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
1920s Empire French brass table desk lamp Nickel Art Deco shell shade with heavy brass base Brass base. Black cotton wire and plug. Also, available with US/UK plug Weight: 1.00 kg...
Brass, Nickel
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Chandelier, four arms with candlestick style light mounts, around square central mount with crystal prisms with cut starburst patterns. 26.5" H...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces Gilt & Ebonized Wood, 2 Metal Arms, France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An elegant pair of Empire-period wall sconces crafted from finely carved gilt and ebonized wood, retaining all original elements and displaying a richly aged patina acquired over mor...
Metal
19th Century Chandelier Sweden or Baltic States Cut Glas Gilded
Located in Epfach, DE
The chandelier is probably made circa 1810 in Sweden or the Baltic States. It is made out of cut glass and flashed glass the three double arms and the mascarons are gilded.
Brass
19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This large scale 19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier is a stunning piece that perfectly combines elegance and sophistication. The intricate gilt bronze fra...
Crystal, Bronze
Swedish empire chandelier, early 19th c
Located in Stockholm, SE
A magnificent Swedish Empire chandelier in gilt brass, gilt bronze and cut glass, dating to circa 1810. The chandelier is of monumental basket form, suspended beneath an elegantly do...
Brass, Bronze
$2,743 / 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
Small Bronze & Beaded Crystal French Light Fixture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage French Empire style crystal basket chandelier with acanthus finial. Constructed with a bronze frame adorned with faceted crystal beads. Originated in the late 19th century.
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Style Table Lamp (No Shade). Bronze, Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire style lamp (without shade). Patinated bronze. marble base Table lamp elevated on a marble base, it is shaped like a vase with handles in the shape of simplified swan heads, fo...
Marble, Bronze
$1,026Sale Price / set|44% 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
Wonderful Pair French Empire Gilt Dore Bronze Marble Neoclassical Regency Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Empire Gilt Dore Bronze & Marble Corinthian Column Form Ormolu Neoclassical Regency Lamps, Each Having A Medusa Plaque Mounting On A Triangular Base.
Marble, Bronze
French Oil Opaline and Brass Table Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Converted French oil white opaline and brass table lamp.
Brass