Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
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.
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Style: Empire
Italian Empire 19th Century Walnut Commodes with Columns and Brass Mounts, Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian Empire walnut four-drawer commodes from the 19th century with antique brass mounts and bookmatched veneer. This exquisite pair of Italian Empire walnut four-drawer ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Empire Commode, Denmark 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Elegant Empire commode, Denmark 1810-20, mahogany veneer. In very good refinished condition, French polished. The commode will be shipped from Germany, shipping costs to Boston are i...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and tapered legs. Experience the grandeur of 19th-cen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Empire Style French Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France in the Empire style. This piece is made of ebonized Mahogany finished with a lustrous French polish of museum-quality. The enfilade supports a beautiful, original ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Petite Walnut Commode with Marble Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French 19th century Empire commode having lovely bookmatched walnut and gray fossil marble top that sits over a wide drawer (all are dovetailed) hidden in the apron of the piece, ove...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Empire Small Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Charming Small Empire Commode is made of flamed mahogany and has been refinished. It has a black marble top and bronze rings around the columns. The contrast of colors is just w...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Library Cabinet, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-part library cabinet with mirrored double doors and side cabinet elements, each with a door and decorative segmental arch element. The library is divided by pilasters and decor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
France, 1810
Walnut
Antique Chest of drawers with black marble on top. Beautiful grain of walnut on front and both sid...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Dutch Empire Style Mahogany 6-Drawer Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Empire style 19th century mahogany chest from the Netherlands. This case piece has six beautifully figured mahogany drawers all with working locks and two keys. The top drawer...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet.
The attractive and original Verde Antico marble top above three freize drawers. The central door with a burr-amboyna l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Secretary, Mahogany and Ormolu Fittings, c 1820
Located in Greven, DE
19th Century Empire Secretary
France
Mahogany
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 143 x 97 x 49 cm
Description:
Very fine French writing desk with delicate dimensions and a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
Pulaski Empire Style Cherry Wood Large Bowed Glass Curio Display Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pulaski Empire Style Cherry Wood Large Bowed Glass Illuminated Curio Display Cabinet. Item features 2 side entry doors, carved paw feet, large impressive size, curved glass panes, li...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Cherry
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1850, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columns ending with bun feet and embellished with decorative brass mounts at the shoulder and the b...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass
A 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1820
A fine early nineteenth century santos mahogany Empire commode, with three graduated drawers, retaining the original handles and escutcheons, the carcass embellis...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Commode Empire, France, vers 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Commode Empire, France, vers 1860.
Très bonne condition.
Dimensions : hauteur 104 cm / largeur 178 cm / profondeur 59 cm
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Empire Flame French Mahogany Credenza
Located in Countryside, IL
Empire Flame French Mahogany Credenza
This credenza measures: 97 wide x 22 deep x 37.25 inches high
About Photos: We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Vintage original IMPERO dresser, in inlaid and ebonized wood. First 1800
Located in Torino, IT
IMPERO Dresser
original vintage,
in walnut wood
inlaid and ebonized.
PERIOD
First half
of the nineteenth century
MODEL
Dresser dresser
with three drawers
MATERIALS
Walnut wood inl...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
French Empire Period Chest w/Black Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period commode, with black and brass accents, from the early 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped top, with case which houses th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
A 19TH Century Blue Painted Commode
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1820
An early nineteenth century blue painted Empire commode with three drawers, bronze lion mask handles, all supported on simulated crocodile feet, with black marble ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Swedish 19th century flame mahogany breakfront bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Scandinavian empire flame mahogany breakfront bookcase circa 1820.
Stunning bookcase of grand proportions veneered in golden flame mahogany. Bookcase comprises o...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Black Empire Chest of Drawers with 3 Drawers, around 1800
Located in Berlin, DE
Crafted around 1800, the Early 19th Century Black Empire Chest of Drawers with Three Drawers embodies the opulence and grandeur of the Empire style. Made with meticulous craftsmanshi...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Pine, Paint
Italian Empire trumeau in briarwood and brass with secrets
Located in Milano, IT
This Italian Early Empire Trumeau is a true masterpiece of elegance and mystery, masterfully crafted from burl feather wood, known for its fascinating grain that evokes the nobility ...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Period Commode
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite Antique Empire Period Painted Commode boasts a striking Greek Key design adorning its exterior, complemented by a luxurious Belgian Marble Top. Its allure is further e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
French Empire Commode
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive French Empire Mahogany Commode. Solid granite top over 4 drawers all with working locks and individual keys for each drawer. Round Mahogany veneer columns with Or...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Commode w/Figural Columns & Pink Marble
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an adorable petite commode with wonderful grained veneer and blackened flat columns on the sides which have a bronze woman's head on the top and bronze feet on the bottom. It...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
French Empire Commode Chest of drawers wood and ormolu
By Decorating House France
Located in Valladolid, ES
Extraordinary chest of drawers in the Empire style, in the time of Napoleon I Bonaparte. Made of wood, the fronts are veneered with mahogany palm, one of the most exclusive, attract...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in New York, NY
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840.
Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads.
Very useful pedestal vitrine combination tha...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Dresser "Semainier" or High Boy Dresser, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a stunning French Empire Dresser from 1810, featuring a classic semainier design with five drawers adorned in elegant mahogany veneer. This exquisite piece boasts a stric...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
1800s Antique English, Mahogany, Pedestal, Drawers Sideboard
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning Antique Sideboard, English, Mahogany, Pedestal Sideboard, 6 Drawers, 19th C, 1800s!!
This antique English sideboard is a true masterpiece. Crafted from fine mahogany and ca...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional drawers. This elegant French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century exudes c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Exquisite Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstands
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstand Chests With Mounted Gilt
Provenance: From an Establishment on Belgrave Square London see images7
Known to be ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Feet.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Paw Feet. Ca. 1860. Bleached walnut with ebonized trim and black marble top.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Louis Seize style sideboard, 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Demi-lune sideboard in Louis Seize style with red and white marble top and two doors and three drawers. The doors are framed with brass profiles. The sideboard is veneered in mahogan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass
Superb Circassian Walnut Bronze French Empire 1780s Era Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, absolutely breathtaking Circassian Walnut with incredible contrasts of blacks and browns that are remiscient of rosewood. The piece features bronze figural carya...
Category
1780s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Empire bookcase, Germany, circa 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire style bookcase / vitrine made in Germany, circa 1870.
Made of walnut wood with brass ornaments
Very good condition
dimensions: height 209 cm width 192 cm depth 69 cm
Category
1870s German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This wonderful Empire French Commode is made of walnut with a black marble and full columns.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Empire Enfilade, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four-door sideboard with three drawers and dark gray marble top and gilded applications. The headboard protrudes slightly and rests on four smooth columns with gilded bronze bases an...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Bust Stand Cabinet 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb French Empire mahogany and ormolu mounted pedestal cabinet, Circa 1870 in date.
THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS PEDESTAL IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Ebonized Bookcase
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome Empire style open book shelf has a recent ebonized finish. This antique has the rounded column fronts of the empire style raised on paw feet. The interior is fitted wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Confiturier ~ Cabinet ~ Dry Bar
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Empire Confiturier ~ Cabinet ~ Dry Bar will make a great addition in rooms used for entertainment. It's also a good choice as a bedside companion, or just a shal...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase. Item features carved paw feet, 4 glass doors, stacking form, very nice antique bookcase. Top 2 sections ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Narrow chest of drawers, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Narrow chest of drawers on straight legs with three drawers and a gray stone top. The key plates are in the form of flower bouquets in gilt bronze. The chest of drawers is mahogany v...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Stone, Bronze
French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER
France, circa 1830
Item # 403ZGP18C
An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers circa 1850.
Good quality Swedish empire commode made in birch and pine,
Rectangular top with rounded corners and moulded edge. Belo...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Henredon French Empire Burl Wood Twelve Drawer Dresser
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Louis Philippe style twelve-drawer dresser or chest of drawers
By Henredon, "Charles X" Collection
USA, Late 20th Century
Beautiful burl wood, with ori...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Chest Commode
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Commode Chest of Drawers
Gorgeous French Empire style commode/chest of drawers featuring intricate inlaid marquetry with a finely detaile...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Bookcase in the Manner of R.J. Horner
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique American Empire or Victorian glass front bookcase with carved columns and lion paw feet
In the manner of R.J. Horner
USA, Circa 1890s
Carved mahogany, with mul...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk
This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary desk is a true work of art. Craf...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass
Mobiletti impero francesi in Mogano con fregi in bronzo e piano in un bel marmo
Located in Cesena, FC
Coppia di mobiletti impero (1850 circa).
Mobiletti impero francesi, in Mogano con fregi in bronzo, con colonna intera e piano in un bel marmo grigio, sportelli con ripiani interni.
...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Noir Empire Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A timeless marvel. Crafted from wood with a Powder Black and Gold Finish, this 48"w x 21"d x 39"h piece exudes traditional charm. Its classic silhouette and the opulent blend of hues...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Mahogany Empire Chest Of Drawers, Stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée, Paris c. 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Empire chest of drawers stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée
Paris
Mahogany
around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 131 x 63 cm
Description:
Four carved, bronze-patinated paw feet supp...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
French Empire Style Enfilade
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th Century French Empire style bleached walnut enfilade with a marble top. 1920
Reference: 8331
Dimensions
87 inches (221 cms) Wide
22.5 inches (57 cms) Deep
36.5 inches (9...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Empire Style Secretary Made In Mahogany & Intarsia From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This impressive Empire style secretary from the year 1820 is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Hand-polished mahogany wood gives the secretary an elegant and ...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers circa 1850.
Stunning mid 19th century 4 drawer commode from Denmark.
Rectangular top with sloped moulded edge. Below the to...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Empire case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire case pieces and storage cabinets made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original case pieces and storage cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Maison Krieger. 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 case pieces and storage cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $800 and tops out at $445,969 while the average work can sell for $5,989.
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