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.
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
1920 European Antique Empire style Cut/ Beaded Cascading Crystal Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1920's Euro Antique Cut and Beaded Cascading Flow of Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant. This piece is lovely!
Crystal
Antique French Empire Bronze Green Candlestick Column Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Wreath Ormolu Dark Green Bouillotte Table Lamp with Dark Green Paper Shade (Not metal). Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 22.5" H (to finial). Base...
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Crystal Eleven Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique French 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut crystal eleven light chandelier 19th Century Height: 34 inches Diameter: 22.5 inches Superbly detailed gilded bronze...
Crystal, Bronze
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 ...
Bronze
Large Pair of Spanish Empire Style 7-Light Crystal-Cut Chandeliers
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Pair of Spanish Empire Style 7-Light Crystal-Cut Chandeliers, in the Style of the Spanish Royal Factory of Glass and Crystal of La Granja A large pair of Empire style 7-light ...
Crystal, Metal
Pair of Antique Second Empire Style Five-Arm Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
A large pair of Charles X bronze and marble five-light candelabra now fitted as table lamps. This striking pair combine honey-colored Siena marble and dark crisp scrolling bronze in ...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal "Sac à Perles" Chandelier Baccarat
By Charles Percier
Located in CABA, AR
A grand French Empire style 'Sac à Perles' chandelier. The piece features a finely chased gilt bronze frame with the Baccarat name stamped into the metalwork. The design consists of ...
Crystal, Bronze
1920 French Empire Small Chandelier with Swam Heads 6 Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920’s French Empire style small chandelier with swam’s heads. Original unique chains. 6 lights. Green body color
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads. Each sconce ha...
Bronze
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...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$5,800 / set
1930's Empire Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Bronze
Lamp - Cassolette - Oil lamp - Empire style - Bronze - 19th France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent late 19th century mantelpiece set, mounted as a lamp. This beautiful Athenian-style cassolette is made of chased and gilded bronze and brass with a brown patina. The cent...
Bronze, Brass
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
French Empire Style Frosted Glass Hanging Lamp with Gilt Bronze and Crystal Pris
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful and decorative French glass hanging lamp executed in the Empire style, circa 1850 The lamp features an elegant frosted glass bowl engraved with delicate star motifs and a c...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Tole Metal Urn Bouillotte Table Lamp w Shade
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Hand Painted Tole Metal Urn Form Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp with Shade. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 11" H (t...
Metal
Italian Tole & Wood Bead Chandelier, Empire Style, 1950s
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Stamford, CT
1950s Italian tole and wood beaded chandelier in the Empire style most likely imported by Chapman Manufacturing Company. The chandelier consists of an octagonal metal (tole) frame w...
Metal, Tin
Empire-style Chandelier after Schinkel, probably Berlin, early 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Impressive twelve-arm Empire-style chandelier featuring a scalloped ring adorned with finely detailed acanthus motifs and a rich arrangement of faceted glass prisms. The central shaf...
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
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large French Empire gilt and patina bronze chandelier of circular form, suspended from six elongated chains composed of alternating openwork and solid links. The corona is cast wit...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb antique French Empire-style gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier. This chandelier is designed in the French Empire style, executed in gilt and patinated bronze. The structur...
Bronze
Antique Sevres Style Porcelain Hand-Painted & Gilt Mounted Urn Table Lamp
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The colorful antique hand-painted porcelain twin handled urn vase, circa 1850-1880, was later converted into a lamp and mounted onto custom round bronze and enamel metal base with ro...
Gold, Bronze
Fine Pair of French Empire Style Black Porcelain & Bronze Mounted Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and fine pair of French Empire style Art Deco period black porcelain and bronze mounted table lamps. This beautiful pair of bl...
Bronze
19th Century Pair French Blue Opaline Glass Lamps
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair French Blue Opaline Glass Lamps Beautiful Lamps purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Opaline Glass
French Napoleonic Table Lamps Tartan Tripod Base Lion Paws Empire Lamps a Pair
By Stiffel, Burberry, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Frederick Cooper, Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage French Empire Table Lamps with tartan lampshades Style: Vintage Antique, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Baroque, Design: Traditional Napoleonic Column lamps in th...
Metal
Pair Of Empire Style Niermann Weeks Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of wall sconces in the Empire style with embossed gilt metal having a floral-like design, three electrified lights with beeswax candle covers...
Brass
$7,344Sale Price / item|20% Off
Low Flushmount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing the New Montgolfière Style Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Empire Elegance Experience the epitome of opulence and craftsmanship with our exquisite Montgolfière style chande...
Crystal, Wire
Carved Italian Giltwood Three-Arm Sconce by Randy Esada Designs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Carved Italian giltwood three-arm sconce by Randy Esada Designs.
Giltwood
Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French Empire neoclassical gilt and patina bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular corona decorated with a continuous band of gilt laurel leaves...
Bronze
Large Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn, Amphora Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large, heavy Empire style gilt and patinated bronze Amphora table lamp decorated with fine ornaments and garlands on a square base supported by four feet covered with leaves. Five-li...
Bronze
French 19th Century Brass Empire Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire brass sconce of French design, 19th century. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophistic...
Metal, Brass
Monumental "Sac à Perles" Crystal Chandelier with Neoclassical Brass Frieze
Located in Mortsel, BE
Empire-style crystal chandelier dates from the mid-20th century and evokes the grandeur of French Neoclassical design. Often referred to as a "Sac à Perles" (bag of pearls) or basket...
Crystal, Brass
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Cobalt Blue Accents Chandelier, C 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 5 lights in beaded cups. This elegant chandelier is completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare cobalt blue crystal prisms and cobalt blue beads...
Crystal
$6,800 / set
Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very nice cut crystal table lamps with bronze fittings, French Empire style. newly UL rewired
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Brass Tole Metal Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Tole Metal Twin Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp with White Painted Metal Adjustable Oval Shade. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H ...
Brass
Empire style black enamel and gilt brass chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
This unique fixture is made in a classic empire style It hangs from a crown in black with gilt enhancements The gilt chain is decorative and can be adjusted by Eliminating some lin...
Brass
$8,785Sale Price / item|20% Off
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 ...
Crystal
Antique Wedgwood Jasperware Black and White Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Antique Black and White Wedgwood Jasperware Urn Table Lamps. Item features porcelain urn form bodies, wooden base, dual sockets, white ...
Metal
$3,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Bronze, Brass and Cut Crystal chandelier, France ca. 1950
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Beautiful Chandelier depicting what appears to be a glass waterfall coming out of a "jeweled" crown manufactured in bronze and cut crystal pearls and lancets. The wires have been re...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire style wall lamps, possibly gilded bronze
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of Empire-style wall lamps, probably gilded bronze. Good condition. Thank you.
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Tole Shaded Cast Iron & Brass Table Lamp
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century French tole shaded cast iron & brass table lamp. Empire taste with tri-form base, acanthus leaf with ball & claw & further acanthus motifs. Some minor shade wear. 23...
Brass, Iron
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Giltwood
French Empire Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with Swan Arms, Circa 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 20th century bronze doré 2 swan arm round base bouillotte table lamp with oval green tole shade.
Bronze
Pair French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of columnar form neoclassical lamps feature gilt bronze wreaths and Corinthian capitals.
Bronze
Empire Style 10 Arm Chandelier in Solid Brass by Chapman Manufacturing Co C 1998
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A monumental ten-light chandelier in the Empire manner by Chapman Manufacturing Company, the preeminent American maker of traditional brass lighting. Cast and finished in solid brass...
Brass
French Empire Style Ebonized Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) ebonized and gilt bronze 6 arm chandelier suspended by 3 black and gilt bronze link extensions with a flame ...
Ormolu
$26,500 / set
Pair of Bronze Crystal Chandeliers
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing and price are for a pair of chandeliers. Bronze and crystal chandeliers originally from France and made around the 19th century.
Crystal, Brass
$20,919Sale Price / item|25% Off
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Crystal
Very Important 19th C Empire Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze Palatial Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
One of the finest 19th century Empire palatial 36 light chandeliers on the market today. Fine gilt bronze Empire details with two tiers of 36 light...
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style 16-Light Crystal and Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large French Empire style 16-light crystal and gilt metal basket chandelier from the 19th century, with scrolling arms, diamond and rosette motifs. Born in France during the politi...
Crystal, Metal
Cut Crystal Spear Empire Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
This chandelier is truly stunning, with its sparkling, leaded glass cut crystals. An Empire-style crystal chandelier in the form of a tent with a ring structure adorned with outward-...
Crystal, Brass
Pair Of French Empire Ormolu Candlestick Lamps With Tole Shades
Located in Essex, MA
Shade height 5 inches. Diameter of base 5.5 inches. Pair of period candlesticks with caryatids attributed to Claude Galle. Black painted tole shades.
Bronze, Tin
Antique French Chandelier, Brass & Crystal, Empire Style, Circa 1860
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French chandelier, pendant made of hand crafted polished brass, in good condition. The hand blown cut crystal prisms are attached, halted to the ceiling lamp brass f...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
1950 Empire Crystal Chandelier 18 Lights Two Tiers
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1950’s French Empire style 18 lights crystals and bronze chandelier. Two tiers. With faces on the bronze rings. Original gilding and patina.
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Giltwood Candlesticks or Prickets
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of giltwood French Empire period prickets or candlesticks was originally used on the altar of a church. They were hand-carved and exquisitely gilded on only one side as a m...
Giltwood
$4,800 / set
1920s Caldwell Bronze Medusa Head Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s sconces with medusa head and arrow design. Two lights
Bronze
French Empire Style Brass Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) brass 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green shade. Arrow finial is missing
Brass
Pair Palatial Bronze and Steel French Empire Style Torchieres Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of palatial vintage torchiere floor lamps in the French empire style, finely crafted from gilt and patinated bronze and steel. Each with a circular shallow dish-form basin fitt...
Bronze, Steel
Vintage French Empire Style Burnished Brass Column Paw Foot Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Burnished Brass Column Paw Foot Table Lamps - a Pair, Attributed to Stiffel. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 34" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light so...
Brass
Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Desk Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 12" H (to light socket) x 13" W x 9....
Bronze