Empire Vitrines
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.
30
7
to
4
23
14
37
30
30
187
163
157
134
64
58
55
43
40
37
36
34
26
23
17
14
9
4
22
8
7
7
1
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
37
26
14
13
10
35
20
7
3
2
7
2
Style: Empire
Original Antique Empire Library / Shelve / Vitrine, circa 1860-1880 Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Biblithek, circa 1860s-1880s from an Empire room
Mahogany with beautiful empire figures, cast bronze.
Very rare to get today.
3 glass doors, interior with glass shelves, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Swedish Late Empire Black-polished Birch Bookcase
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish late empire bookcase / display cabinet in black-polished birch.
In 2 parts, upper case having mullioned glass front with cathedral arch cornice.
Lower part with a pair of pa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Glass, Wood
Mahogany Wood Framed Mirrored Back Display Vitrine Cabinet / Three Glass Shelves
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your living space with this Early 20th Century North American Mahogany Wood Framed Mirrored Vitrine, a piece of furniture that exudes elegance and timeless charm. The mirrore...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Empire Vitrines
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Display Cabinet With Mystical Figures , Germany ca. 1850
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional, rare empire nutwood display cabinet or vitrine from the mid 19th century in North Germany - the "second empire" period. As part of the inventory of a stately mansion, th...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Vitrines / PAIR
Located in Dallas, TX
a handsome pair of Empire-style gilt bronze mounted (ormolu) mahogany marble top vitrines / display cabinets, each with two interior glass shelves, glass on three (3) sides, back and...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Oak Dresser, circa 1920
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
An oak French Empire style dresser from circa 1920, with a drawer and display part. The cabinet has the original antique glass. Pilaster detailing...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Vitrines
Materials
Oak, Glass
French Louis XVI Style Table Vitrine Brass Inlay
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE LIFT-TOP VITRINE: Beveled glass lift-top vitrine with glass sides revealing an orange upholstered bottom. Corners and diminishing legs are fluted and have copper ...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Vitrines
Materials
Brass
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840. Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads. Very useful pedestal open vitrine...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Late Empire Style Bookcases
Located in Roveredo In Piano, IT
Pair of Late Empire style bookcases. Small in size, they are composed of elements in solid walnut and others in folder and feature a wick shellac...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Glass, Wood
French 20th Century Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Display your treasured objects in this beautiful early 20th century French Empire style mahogany vitrine. Beveled glass panels can be found in the case antique’s door and sides, allowing one to view the contents placed inside on its two glass shelves. A mirrored back gives the illusion of a completely transparent cabinet. The vitrine has recently undergone a refinishing, giving the antique a ‘like new’ appearance. The wonderful brass hardware found at the capital and base of the pilaster columns which flank the door has been polished to a brilliant luster - along with the sabots that cap the front feet. Inside, two additional finished mahogany lower shelves can be used to house objects...
Category
20th Century French Empire Vitrines
Materials
Brass
Fine and Beautiful 19th C Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Library Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and beautiful Empire mahogany and gilt bronze decorated Empire library viewing cabinet. All original with fine gilt bronze pawed feet. Adjustable shelves, hand pegged.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Maison Krieger Wood, Glass, Bronze And Marble Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style gilt bronze mounted wood, glass and marble top heavy and large vitrine/curio cabinet. The wide tapered rectangular vitrine has four glass walls framed with wood. The front door is one of them and it is beveled. It is decorated with a gilt mounted bronze garland of roses, mixed of flowers and foliage at the top and bottom area. At the top center, there is a gilt bronze shell and at the bottom a Wedgwood light blue porcelain round plaque with a cherub that is carving a piece of stone. Above the plaque, a large gilt bronze bow is decorating the curio cabinet. There are scrolls of acanthus leaves adorning each side of the upper top corners of the door. A gilt bronze swag made of laurel leaves branches with a bow in the center embellish the frieze of each one of the sides, and its corners are also decorated with scrolls of acanthus leaves with a garland of buds hanging from them. There are also some gilt beads chain ornaments decorating the wood part of the sides. The cornice is adorned with a bronze border made of carved acanthus leaves. The upper part of the curio cabinet is covered by a heavy light pink with grey veins marble top. To support the vitrine there are four gilt heavy bronze lion paws decorated with large acanthus leaves and a pair of laurel branches at the upper part of them. These acanthus leaves are spreading toward the lower front border and forming an arc. There are four adjustable thick glass shelves inside the curio cabinet and a lower one made of wood that is covered with a light yellow color Damask fabric. A metal lockplate has inscribed Mon Krieger...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Chiffonier of Mahogany and with Carvings of the Style Late Empire from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Exquisite Late Empire Style Mahogany Chiffonier from the 1840s: a stunning testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the era.
This beautiful piece is crafted from rich mahogany, a wood highly favored during the late Empire period, renowned for its durability and luxurious appearance. The intricate carvings adorning this chiffonier showcase the opulence and attention to detail characteristic of the style.
The design's grandeur reflects the late Empire aesthetic, with its bold lines, elaborate carvings, and ornate embellishments. The piece's historical significance and timeless allure make it a focal point in any room, evoking the grandeur of the 19th-century era.
Perfect for collectors of period furniture or those passionate about historical pieces, this late Empire chiffonier...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Glass Cabinet, Northern Germany
Located in Belmont, MA
Classic Empire glass cabinet, mahogany veneer. Beautiful three dimensional columns with ionian capitals. There is one drawer in the lower level of the g...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu cabinet vitrine. The vitrine is raised by striking paw feet with luxuriant pierced palmette designs. Above the st...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Ormolu
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays, Handmade Columns and Gold Leaf Decorations
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Turn your house into a lavish private residence with Modenese Gastone's Luxury furniture. Add this majestic three-sides vitrine in a revisited empire...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Vitrines
Materials
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Vitrine or Dry Bar with Ebonized Finish and Brass Trim
Located in Troy, MI
French vitrine cabinet or dry bar with new black finish and original brass trim, circa 1920s. Top has sliding glass doors. Bottom has brass figural ornaments, locking door and single...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Vitrines
Materials
Brass
21st Century Bar Counter - Veneer Inlays and Gold Leaf - Dark Emperador Marble
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Surprise your guests with a drink from your most beloved bar cabinet by Modenese Gastone Interiors. This model, taken from the Deluxe 2020 collection, features empire-style inlaid woods and beautiful ivory-finished decorations, plus a blue bahia...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Vitrines
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays, Handmade Columns and Gold Leaf Decorations
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Turn your house into a lavish private residence with Modenese Gastone's Luxury furniture. Add this majestic three-sides vitrine in a revisited empire...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Vitrines
Materials
Gold Leaf
Baroque Side Vitrine with Veneer and Gold Leaf Details by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exceptional Italian furniture, a unique and exclusive piece of coin cabinet from Modenese Interiors Luxury production. Its dramatic use of veneers from elm, walnut and maple gives th...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Vitrines
Materials
Gold Leaf
Very Large Mahogany Library with Bronze Corinthian Columns, France 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large library with an overall height of 290 cm. The three-part architectural front is three-quarters glazed and features Corinthian bronze capitals with solid columns. Measures: Heig...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Marble Topped Vitrine in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Antique French marble topped vitrine in the Empire style
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 132cm, width 72cm, depth 47cm
This antique mahogany vitrine was made in France and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Baroque Side Vitrine with Veneer and Gold Leaf Details by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exceptional Italian furniture, a unique and exclusive piece of coin cabinet from Modenese Interiors Luxury production. Its dramatic use of veneers from elm, walnut and maple gives th...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Vitrines
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Guillotine Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Empire guillotine cabinet. Fine Neoclassical fruitwood and mahogany vitrine small bookcase cabinet with glass panel door àla guillotine above t...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Marble
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays and Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Your home interior will never be the same with this Modenese Gastone Luxury Interior masterpiece. From the bottom-up: empire style legs, inlays with decorative woods and radica inser...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Vitrines
Materials
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Mahogany Empire Style Vitrine, 1920s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful 20th century French mahogany Empire style vitrine from the 1920s.
This vitrine has a music scores compartments.
Brass net finish. Brass hooves...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Vitrines
Materials
Brass
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays and Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Your home interior will never be the same with this Modenese Gastone Luxury Interior masterpiece. From the bottom-up: empire style legs, inlays with decorative woods and radica inser...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Vitrines
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Library, France, circa 1880
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire library, France, circa 1880.
Very good condition.
Wood: walnut
Dimensions:
H 168 cm W 107 cm D 50 cm.
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Empire Style French Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid softwood. Architecturally articulated body. Two-door, bent frame box on pressed, carved, poliementvergolddete claw feet. Recessed tower with two t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
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
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Bronze
French Late 20th Century Louis XVI Period Mounted Cabinet Vitrine
Located in Miami, FL
An extremely high quality and elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI period mahogany and ormolu-mounted cabinet vitrine which is finished on all sides. The cabinet is raised by t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Vitrines
Materials
Cherry
Empire Style Vitrine Cabinet with Integral Clock by Eugene Brunet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Amboyna wood and gilt-bronze empire style vitrine cabinet with a glazed front and sides. The cabinet is mounted all over with superb quality well chiselled gilt-bronze mounts and surmounted by a clock with an enamel dial face surrounded by Zodiac motifs. The cabinet is crowned with a bronze bust of Napoleon.
Signed E. Brunet.
French, circa 1880.
Eugene Brunet was one of the most successful ébénistes of high-quality Parisian furniture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He produced items for wealthy patrons and exhibited at many of the international exhibitions of the period. In 1889, he joined brothers Frederic and Alexandre Roux, establishing themselves at 20 rue de la Perle under the name of Roux Et Brunet...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Mahogany Vitrine Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany single door display/vitrine cabinet with gilt bronze trim and front sphinx form legs.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Bronze
Burr-Amboyna, Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cabinet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
This beautiful display cabinet was crafted by the prestigious furniture company, Maison Krieger. The firm was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger. Over the course of the 19th century,...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Antique French Empire Vitrine or Display Cabinet, circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
Monumental 19th century French Empire black lacquered vitrine or display cabinet. The shaped bonnet with intricate doré bronze appointments above...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Style French Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid softwood. Architecturally articulated body. Two-door, bent frame box on pressed, carved, poliementvergolddete claw feet. Recessed tower with two t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
Empire Style Vitrine, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire style vitrine, 19th century
Mahogany wood.
Glazed front and sides, lower skirt with carved central mirror decoration and gilt bronze appl...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Vitrines
Materials
Other
Empire vitrines for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire vitrines 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 vitrines created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire vitrines made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vitrines, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, 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 vitrines differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,210 and tops out at $152,474 while the average work can sell for $11,900.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique French Curio Cabinet
Antique French Curio Cabinets
Vitrine Counter
Vitrine Grey
Narrow Vitrine
Antique French Louis Xvi Vitrine
Tabletop Display Cabinets
French Round Vitrine
Bombe Vitrine
Bronze Curio
Vintage Medicine Cabinet
Circular Vitrine
3 Piece Vitrine
Mounted Curio
Vitrines By Linke
Vitrine By Linke
Tabletop Display Case
Antique Table Vitrine