$69,723 / set
H 97.5 in W 87 in D 22.25 in
Impressive 19th century french empire revival 5 piece bedroom suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
We are pleased to offer this 5 piece bedroom suite circa 1890. Suite comprising of a bed, wardrobe
Marble, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
$2,885
H 51 in W 70 in D 2 in
19th Century Italian Rococo Style Carved Giltwood Headboard with Linen Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Italian Rococo Style Carved Giltwood Headboard with Linen Upholstery
Giltwood
Fine Italian Porcelain Dinner Service, Verbano Laveno, 20th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
FINE ITALIAN PORCELAIN DINNER SERVICE, VERBANO LAVENO, 20TH CENTURY The Verbano Laveno dinner service, originating from the 20th century, boasts exquisite craftsmanship and timeless...
Porcelain
19th Century Empire Sofa Schumacher Sabi Tiger Velvet
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th Century Empire sofa. This handsome burl veneer sofa features ebonized and gilt columns, urn finials, with two hidden drawers, all newly upholstered in Schumacher abstract ...
Wood, Burl
$16,421
H 36.03 in W 28.15 in D 27.96 in
Original 17th Century Andrea Brustolon Hand Carved Italian Walnut Armchair
By Andrea Brustolon
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original 17th century attributed to Andrea Brustolon hand carved Italian walnut armchair with Cherubs throughout This chair is abso...
Velvet, Walnut
$47,850Sale Price|49% Off
H 108 in W 99 in D 24.5 in
Napoleon III Empire Revival Mahogany Gilt and Patinated Bronze Credenza Buffet
By Thomire & Cie.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An impressive Napoleon III Empire Revival mahogany, marble, gilt bronze and patinated-bronze-mounted credenza buffet, after Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843). The large mahogany an...
Marble, Bronze
Empire Canopy Bed Napoleon III 19th Century
By Empire Furniture
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire Canopy bed France Napoleon III From the 19th Century, In mahogany wood with appliqués in gilded bronze and classical figures. Fluted columns with Corinthian capitals. Ceilin...
Wood
$1,915,847
H 59.45 in W 74.81 in D 39.38 in
Antique French Marquetry, Ormolu and Jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley
By Emmanuel-Alfred Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
Antique French marquetry, ormolu and jasperware Bureau du Roi by Beurdeley French, c. 1890 Height 151cm, width 190cm, depth 100cm The Bureau du Roi, also known as the secrétaire à ...
Ormolu
$8,750
H 77.56 in W 60.24 in D 83.86 in
Antique French Louis XVI Style Full Size Rosewood Carved Bed Frame Baroque
Located in Miami, FL
An Exquisite antique French Louis XVI full size bed. Made of Rosewood featuring foliate carved ribbon and crest with center cartouche, acorn form finials, fluted and turned columns, ...
Walnut
$42,148Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 63 in W 37.41 in D 18.9 in
Fine Rare Pair 17th Century Oyster Walnut Chests on Stands
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine, and rare, very closely-matched pair of late-17th century oyster walnut chests on stands. English, Charles II period, ca 1685. Both with fleur-de-lys inlays bordered by holl...
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybed
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19th century French Empire daybed.
Bronze
$75,000
H 45 in W 39 in D 39 in
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
18th Century Oak Corner Library Cupboard
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This mid-18th century oak corner cupboard originates from the Prebysterie (living quarters of a pastor) of the small Normandy village of Foie, now part of Normanville. It was reputed...
Oak
$47,850Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 88.25 in W 56 in D 21 in
Napoleon III Empire Revival Mahogany & Gilt Bronze-Mounted Server Buffets, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An impressive pair of Napoleon III Empire Revival mahogany, gilt-bronze and patinated bronze-mounted server buffets, after Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), each cabinet surmounte...
Bronze
Empire period bed with its canopy
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period bed in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, richly decorated with finely chased and gilded bronzes, with its canopy. The front of the bed features a lyre in the center, ...
Bronze
$224,995 / set
H 36.42 in W 49.02 in D 16.34 in
Pair of English Louis XIV Style Breakfront Side Cabinets Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A pair of Louis XIV style gilt-bronze mounted calamander breakfront side cabinets, the Algerian brèche sanguine marble tops above a cupboard door incorporating Japanese lacquer panel...
Marble, Ormolu
$6,856
H 82.68 in W 78.75 in D 70.87 in
Large 19th-Century Spanish Bed in Exotic Wood with Marquetry and Gilded Details
Located in Madrid, ES
This grand Spanish bed from the early 19th century is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, blending exotic and fruitwood with intricate marquetry and gilded details. The frame features ex...
Fruitwood
When shopping for antique and vintage wardrobes and armoires for your home, there are several things to keep in mind, not least of which is question number 1:
What is the difference between an armoire and a wardrobe?
The difference between an armoire and a wardrobe is actually simple: An armoire is merely an ornate wardrobe. A wardrobe is a tall, streamlined storage cabinet that usually has some combination of drawers, shelves and hanging rods.
Antique and vintage armoires, on the other hand, are freestanding, heavy wooden structures that typically feature decorative metal hinges and pictorial carvings. Armoires are large cabinets that aren’t outfitted with the varied storage features that wardrobes now commonly have. Armoires often have one or two doors and a hanging bar and allow for quick access. Whether a minimalist mid-century modern wardrobe or grandiose Victorian-era armoire is the right fit for you, both are highly functional furnishings and can be a smart storage solution.
Armoires have been around since medieval times, and initially they may have housed weapons and armor. In their early days, armoires were often adorned with elaborate carvings and lavish paintings, particularly in Renaissance-era France. During the 18th century and later, armoires were widely known as “presses” for hanging clothes, and they were so large that they swallowed up the room where they stood.
In today’s modern homes, an antique armoire can be a striking, architectural work of art amid comparably unadorned furnishings. Whether you’re using your piece in the kitchen for cookware or as a food pantry, in the bedroom for clothes or in the living room as a media console, it will likely become a lovable focal point.
The evolution of the armoire can be seen in today’s corner wardrobes, which may rest on an asymmetrical base to account for corner placement, and even mirrored wardrobes, which feature a mirror affixed to the inside panel of one of the doors for convenience. Contemporary wardrobes commonly feature additional sliding trays and drawers and hanging space for clothing or linens, and the cabinet doors make them ideal for concealing televisions and computer monitors when such devices aren’t in use.
When choosing the right wardrobe or vintage armoire for your home, it’s good to have the following in mind: What are you planning to store in it? How much of what you’re storing will need to be housed in it? It should be big enough to accommodate your needs. What is the size of the room where your wardrobe or armoire will live? A large new piece of furniture in a modest space can easily become a hindrance if you have to navigate your way around it during your daily routine, so be mindful of the area you'll need in order to move freely.
Whether you are looking for an antique walnut armoire or a simple contemporary wardrobe, find the right piece for your home today on 1stDibs.