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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
Matched Pair of Empire Mahogany Pedestal Cupboards with Green Marble Tops
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of Empire mahogany pedestal cupboards of cylindrical form, both with green marble tops, and two shelves to the interior. One wi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian-Lombardy Empire Walnut Golden Bronzes Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
Three drawers, golden bronze handles, walnut wood, elegant shapes and line make this chest of drawers an interesting piece able to be used in different kind of interior decoration pr...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Mahogany & Gilt Metal Mounted Cabinet on Chest circa 1800
Located in Suffolk, GB
This antique French Empire mahogany and gilt metal mounted antique cabinet on chest has an upper tier with two doors fitted boasting attractive gilt metal mounts. The bottom chest ha...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis, 1810
Located in Hellouw, NL
Beautiful Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). Jean-Joseph Chapuis (born in Brussels) was a famous furniture maker. He obtained a master craftsman ti...
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Early 1800s Belgian 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 ...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Birch

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...
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1810s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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

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...
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19th Century English Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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...
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19th Century Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

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...
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Early 1800s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

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.
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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

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
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1870s German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

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

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...
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Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Stone, Bronze

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...
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19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

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 ...
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Early 1900s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

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...
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19th Century English Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass, 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

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...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Birch

French Empire Period Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France made of solid walnut with bronze detailing adorning the detached columns and two dovetailed drawers. There are also two doors that open to interior shelving.
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1820s French Antique 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

Henredon French Empire Burl Wood Twelve Drawer Dresser
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

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. ...
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1850s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

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

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

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 Commode Late 19th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French Empire style chest of drawers late 19th century. The wood is light cherry. Overall, the structure of the furniture is straight and absolu te. The surfaces are flat and inters...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Fruitwood

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

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

French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm Materials: walnut wood and marble Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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

Danish Empire Tall Chest of Drawers in Book-Matched Flame Mahogany Veneer
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome late Empire or early Biedermeier tall chest on chest in 2 sections with four drawers and double serpentine doors beneath a pedestal top; with beautiful book-matched flame ...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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

Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant" Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm. Material: Mahogany wood Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany Veneer, 19th century Napoleon III RESTAURED
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire chest of drawers in mahogany veneer, 19th century Three drawers plus one under the gray marble top, columns on the uprights with gilt bronze capitals, cm 129x61,5x89 condic...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Small Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Charming Small Empire Commode is made of mahogany with a black marble top. It has bronze rings around the columns. Easy to place anywhere.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood Secrétaire á Abattant With Brass Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire or Neoclassical style drop front secretary desk By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous burl wood, with ebonized columns, and original brass hard...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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

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

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mouchette Mahogany, Burl Ash, Santos Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu, and Giallo Antico marble buffet. This stunning three draw...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Henkel Harris French Empire Louis Philippe Flame Mahogany Marble Top Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire of Louis Philippe style dresser or chest of drawers By Henkel Harris USA, 1990s Stunning book-matched flame mahogany, with beveled marble top, and ori...
Category

1990s American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

Early 19th Century Empire Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Empire 3 Drawers Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top, Early 19th Century Hand carved, hand painted and hand distressed in a muted Scandinavian red toned color. The clean lines and el...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Tavolo Console Impero Italiana Due Cassetti e Anta Radica di Noce Inizio 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Grande consolle Impero, server in radica di noce con due cassetti ed un grande vano nella parte inferiore con sportello, abattant. Di provenienza italiana, romagnola, questa elegante...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Tôle

Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Early 19th Century Empire Sideboard
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Magnificent French Empire Period Sideboard is made of walnut with brass rings around the columns.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Empire Style Buffet With Marble Top
Located in Houston, US
Impressive grande Empire style two door buffet in mahogany with original marble top. The cabinet is accented with brass key escutcheons and with a caryatided bust and feet at top and...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Early 19th Century Commode Scriban
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Commode Scriban with a leather top inside, This Empire Period piece is very convenient as a storage for paper work.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century French Louis XVI neoclassical mahogany semainier or tall chest. Hand crafted from mahogany, this design was fitted with seven drawers to provide a drawer for every day o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Sideboard, Chiffoniere with special Central Locking System
Located in Greven, DE
Semaniere with interesting locking technology Belgium Walnut, oak early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 142 x 127 x 51 cm Description: Small antique cabinet with drawers behin...
Category

1820s Belgian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

1st Empire Mahogany desk, ca 1810
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Unusual 1st Empire desk, circa 1810, in mahogany, Burl, with Brass inlay and blackened columns ending on 2 blackened lion's feet above gilded leaves . Center drawer pulls out to re...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer

Empire Flame Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with marble top and gilt bronze mounts, 19th century. With a black rectangular marble top over 4 flame mahogany drawers flanked by ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Empire Flame Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze mounts and marble top, early 19th century. With a rectangular marble top, the top drawer with a central gilt bronze mo...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet circa 1890. This cupboard was constructed using a flat pack technique, with panels held in place by bolts. Central door with ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
Category

1840s 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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