Empire Chandelier

Empire is a stylistic direction within Classicism. It emerged in the last decade of the 18th century in France and was closely connected to the cult of personality around Napoleon Bonaparte. It included both interior decoration and furniture as well as arts and crafts and clothes fashion.

The aim of the Empire style was particularly representation and decoration; straight lines, stringency and ceremoniousness were intended to show greatness and power. The closed basket form of the frame which is more or less densely hung with glass chains is typical for Empire chandeliers. The hanging pieces of glass are cut into a kind of stylised diamond and joined in chains. The basket chandelier has practically never gone out of fashion.