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.
Italy Mid-18th Century Empire Pair Brass Candle Holders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy Mid-18th Century pair of brass Empire five lights candleholders or table lamps This wonderful pair of brass candle holders, is a magnificent hand made work by Italian artisan...
Bronze
Large 19th Century French Empire Period Floor Candelabrum
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinary period Empire gilded gold dore bronze rolling floor candelabrum. Born in France, the stunning Neo-classical style architectural antique...
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire style Patinated and Gilt-Bronze Figural Garniture Set
Located in New York, NY
Empire style Patinated and Gilt-Bronze Figural Garniture Set French circa 1900 Dish: 12.5" H x 9" D Candelabras: 10" H x 10" W x 6" D
Bronze
$448Sale Price|20% Off
19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Crystal
Wonderful Empire Dore Bronze Rock Crystal Neoclassical Figure Candlestick Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Empire doré bronze rock crystal neoclassical figure candlestick lamp Stamped made in France on base Completely rewired.
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Fine Quality Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze and patinated bronze lamps on square base. Each of the four sides of the base having a reef design. The rest of the...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,838Sale Price / set|25% Off
French 1870 Pair of Empire Candle Holders Lamps Ormolu with Gray Dotted Granite
Located in Miami, FL
French empire pair of candle holders lamps. Exceptional pair of antique candleholders, created in Paris France during the imperial period of Napoleon III, circa 1870. They was designed with French empire neoclassical patterns, masterfully crafted with parts made up in gilt bronze ormolu and patinated bronze. Mounted in fluted columns pedestals carved from gray dotted Granite, with polished finish. Embellished with garlands and putties mounted in a four square and stepped bases. Weight: Combined of 12 Pounds (5.45 Kilos). Measurements: 15 Height by 4.50 Length by 5.15 Width Inches, (38 x 11.43 x 13.08 Cm). French Empire Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (1808-1873) was Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870 under the name of Napoleon III. In a way, the artistic codes of the Napoleon III style, also called Second Empire style, were presented at the Exhibition of 1844, during the reign of Louis-Philippe d'Orléans. The second Empire style, also known as the Napoleon III style, is a highly eclectic style of architecture and decorative arts, which uses elements of many different historical styles, and also made innovative use of modern materials, such as iron frameworks and glass skylights. It flourished during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III in France (1852–1870) and had an important influence on architecture and decoration in the rest of Europe and North America. Major examples of the style include the Opéra Garnier (1862–1871) in Paris by Charles Garnier, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the Church of Saint Augustine (1860–1871), and the Philadelphia City Hall (1871–1901). The architectural style was closely connected with Haussmann's renovation of Paris carried out during the Second Empire; the new buildings, such as the Opéra, were intended as the focal points of the new boulevards. Comfort was the first priority of Second Empire furniture...
Granite, Bronze, Ormolu
$1,616
H 17 in W 13.75 in D 7.5 in
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870. This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Bronze
Wonderful Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Figural Regency
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large pair of French Empire gilt and patinated bronze figural Regency candelabra raised on paw feet, each figure holding a 6-branch cand...
Bronze
$670 / item
H 19.69 in Dm 8.67 in
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This little neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi would be ideal to be placed on a bedside table. Even if it features classical shape, overa...
Marble, Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
$1,750Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.13 in Dm 4.63 in
Pair of 19th Century French Brass Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Pembroke, MA
A pair of very finely-chased French brass candlesticks, circa 1870 in the neoclassical style (could be electrified as table lamps). Bases are decorated with rose vines.
Brass
$6,800 / set
H 20.5 in W 9 in D 6 in
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.
Marble, Bronze
$5,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 12.21 in Dm 5.71 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Trajan's Column Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century Empire Trajan's column ormolu candlesticks in the manner of P.-P. Thomire (1751-1843): Pair of large Empire ormolu candlesticks, the stem ressembling th...
Ormolu
Pair of 18th Century Italian Polychrome Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 18th century Italian polychrome sconces. Tall pair of antique Italian Neoclassical style carved wood polychrome sconces from Tuscany. These ...
Wood
$1,166
H 53.55 in W 14.57 in D 13.39 in
18th Century Italian Louis XV Style Pricket Floor Lamp Distressed Finish
Located in Milano, MI
Italian Florentine hand carved wood torchère as floor lamp, a tall solid cembran pinewood pricket carved on three sides, with a deep acanthus leaf and flowers carving, resting on tri...
Pine
$1,341 / item
H 25.6 in Dm 13 in
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble candlestick by Gherardo Degli Albizzi would be ideal to be placed on a bedside table or on a desk. Even if it features a classical shap...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Appliques in Gilt Bronze, Rococo, Mid-18th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of Appliques in gilt bronze, Rococo from mid-18th century. Some wear on the original gilding (see pictures), but the overall impression of these 270 years old app...
Gold Plate, Bronze
19th Century French Marble and Gilt Bronze Fine Floor Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French gilt bronze and marble floor lamp . Fine quality gilt bronze detail.
Marble
$112,014Sale Price|20% Off
H 72.84 in Dm 21.66 in
Monumental Pair of Italian Empire Gilt Bronze Candleholders or Floor Lamps, 1800
Located in Rome, IT
Impressive pair of Italian Empire finely chiseled ormolu Flambeaux, on triform base, each with 25 scrolled gilt-bronze candle arms. Attributed to Luigi Manfredini the famous bronze a...
Bronze
Sold
H 19.25 in W 7.25 in D 8.625 in
Pair of French Empire Gilt-Bronze & Tole Bouillotte Candlesticks, E 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
****Can be wired if requested. Please contact first. **** A handsome pair of French Empire-style bouillotte candlesticks, each composed of richly fire-gilded bronze with its origina...
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Table Lamps, originally Empire Candlesticks
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of beautiful table lamps, originally empire candlesticks in bronze that have been converted into electric table lamps. Lampshades in black lacquer with gilding on the inside t...
Bronze
Pair of Table Lamps, Originally Empire Candlesticks
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of beautiful table lamps, originally empire candlesticks in bronze that have been converted into electric table lamps. Lampshades in black lacquer with gilding on the inside t...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze French Empire Candlestick Desk Table Lamps in Gold
Located in London, by appointment only
A fine pair of early 19th century cast and chased gilt bronze candlesticks. The poppy shaped nozzles above plentiful baskets of fruit. The column with imbricated stem and raised on c...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine and rare pair of Period French Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra now wired as lamps. A patinated bronze winged NIKE holds a gilt candle nozzle in each outstretched a...
Bronze
Sold
H 32.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Bouillotte Lamp Candle holder Gilded Bronze side Table Lamp Antique light LA CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire style bouillotte table lamp candleholder in gold color on bronze. This table lamp has a centre pipe that holds the shade and which allows the shade height to be adjusted up or down. This adjustable feature is taken from the original candle burning lamps of the 18th century. It has a ring finial with Swans holding the shade and swans holding the candles. The swans from the 1st Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte , his wife Josephine symbol. in 1803 Josephine actively competed with the Muséum d’Histoire naturelle to obtain specimens of flora and fauna. As well as plants she managed to gain kangaroos, emus and black swans, which built nests of sticks and reeds and laid fertile eggs following their arrival in the lake at Château Malmaison. Josephine was so pleased with her swans she adopted them as an emblem about the house and gardens, in her bedroom, on her furniture, furnishings and ceramics. This bouillotte is the perfect table lamp to add ambiance "Ambience" to any room. it looks amazing on top of a console or enfilade, an office desk, in an entryway, living room, bedroom etc. Bouillotte was a French card game that was very popular during the late 1700s. The originals were candle burning lamps that had a bowl shaped base where the game chips were stored. A central tube surrounded by candle holders (candelabra) held a metal shade. The bouillotte shade...
Metal