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Empire Boxes

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
Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge Blue Ocean Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th centur...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg style Faberge Blue Ocean Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg style Faberge Blue Ocean Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge Blue Ocean Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod engraved in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Antique Hand-Carved Box in Oak, 19th century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
There is such a rich patina to this intricately hand-carved square box in oak. Lotus flowers set symmetrically towards its edges and a center motif/panel with unusual floral details....
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Oak

Antique Hand-Carved Box in Oak, 19th century
Antique Hand-Carved Box in Oak, 19th century

Antique Hand-Carved Box in Oak, 19th century

C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
By Empire Furniture
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine Empire Style ormolu Mounted Box Lovely Quality and very fine Ormolu mounted This Box Stands at 40cm in Height and is truly Magnificent
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Boxes

Materials

Malachite

C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box

C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box

Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod with octagonal folding photo holder for 6 photos inside, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and pure gold “pa...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold

Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box
Located in London, GB
A Magnifient Lapis Empire Style Box This box is Absolutely Stunning, Ormolu Mounted
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Boxes

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box
Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box

Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box

Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
6238-7239- Pocket cigarette case with spring button in 925/1000 fire-enamelled sterling silver with beautiful vessel miniature hand-painted by th...
Category

1990s Italian Empire Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim
Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim

Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim

Set of Two Midcentury White Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two beautiful jewelry boxes with glass lids made of opal glass. This type of jewelry box was mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohemia. They were made from the early 19th century to the mid 20th century. However, the heyday of opal boxes...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Set of Two Midcentury White Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts Italy
Set of Two Midcentury White Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts Italy

Set of Two Midcentury White Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts Italy

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. High quality work of applied arts in Neoclassical (Biedermeier) style. The fork of...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century
Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century

Old Wooden Cigar Box, Empire Style, Probably Swedish
By Olle Hermansson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely empire style wooden box probably produced in Sweden. The box is 14 x 14 cm (5.6" x 5,6") in diameter and 23.5 cm (9.4") high. It is in excellent condition except from that t...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Glass, Wood

Old Wooden Cigar Box, Empire Style, Probably Swedish
Old Wooden Cigar Box, Empire Style, Probably Swedish

Old Wooden Cigar Box, Empire Style, Probably Swedish

Elegant Sliding-Lid Box in mahogany for candles or cutlery. Empire, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Very elegant Sliding-Lid Box in mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni) for candles, cutlery or other long narrow items. French Empire, 1820s-1830s. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Mahogany

Elegant Sliding-Lid Box in mahogany for candles or cutlery. Empire, 1820s
Elegant Sliding-Lid Box in mahogany for candles or cutlery. Empire, 1820s

Elegant Sliding-Lid Box in mahogany for candles or cutlery. Empire, 1820s

Table Box miniature fire-enameled Aleksej Nikolaevic Romanov Salimbeni.
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box with inward corners in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and a fine round miniature in the centre, diameter cm. 4....
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Table Box miniature fire-enameled Aleksej Nikolaevic Romanov Salimbeni.
Table Box miniature fire-enameled Aleksej Nikolaevic Romanov Salimbeni.

Table Box miniature fire-enameled Aleksej Nikolaevic Romanov Salimbeni.

Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular lidded box depicting a woman reclining on a Recamier playing the harp. The underside with a star surrounded by banding with stippling decoration.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Wood

Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century

Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century

Beautiful Empire Period (1810) Russian Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Covered Box
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual, Fantastic, and Quite Beautiful Empire Period (1810) Russian Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Covered Box. Of oval form the highly translucent opalescent or opaline crystal i...
Category

1810s Russian Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Beautiful Empire Period (1810) Russian Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Covered Box
Beautiful Empire Period (1810) Russian Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Covered Box

Beautiful Empire Period (1810) Russian Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Covered Box

French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century. Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair

French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair

19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful 19th Century French Empire ebonized black and Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box with bronze appliquès and paw feet. Top features red, bronze and white colored floral motif with a monogram plate of what probably was the original owner's initials. Interior has cream colored toile lining and compartments for sewing implements, many of which are included. Inner top is mirrored with ornamental gilt...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box

19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box

Mahogany Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box w Antique Glass Empire early 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. Cast glass vessels are intact at their original place. Candy sugar bowl along with...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Glass, Cut Glass, Mahogany

Mahogany Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box w Antique Glass Empire early 19th century
Mahogany Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box w Antique Glass Empire early 19th century

Mahogany Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box w Antique Glass Empire early 19th century

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Metal, Iron

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Ottoman Empire Silver Jewelry Casket
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th-early 20th century Ottoman Empire Grand Scale Silver Jewelry Casket. Velvet lining; with a presentation case. 900 standard silver guarantee hallmark, SK mark unidentified, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Empire Boxes

Materials

Silver

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Ottoman Empire Silver Jewelry Casket
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Ottoman Empire Silver Jewelry Casket

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Ottoman Empire Silver Jewelry Casket

19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest /box from Skelleftea Vasterbotten ,Northern Sweden. Decorative Wood imitaition painted small chest /box with...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint

19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint

Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This divine Table Box is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Table Box hand-painted miniature has a Rectangular shape with rounded corners. On the cover there is a beautiful hand-engraved...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Russian USSR Made Black and Red Lacquered Snuff Box, Signed and Dated
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rectangular Black and Red Lacquered Snuff Box, Signed and Dated 1971. This tobacco snuff box is richly and colorfully decorated with a winter scene showing 3 people riding a sleigh in the snow being pulled by 3 wild horses. This Soviet-era box has a strong and great condition red lacquer on the inside and fine gilded decorations running around the edges of the box. The box is signed and dated on the front cover and with hand-written "Made in USSR...
Category

Mid-20th Century Russian Empire Boxes

Materials

Brass

Russian USSR Made Black and Red Lacquered Snuff Box, Signed and Dated
Russian USSR Made Black and Red Lacquered Snuff Box, Signed and Dated

Russian USSR Made Black and Red Lacquered Snuff Box, Signed and Dated

Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg White with blue garlands is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg White with blue garlands has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg White with blue garlands i...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb

Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb

An Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Russian Opaline Crystal Covered Box
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Empire Period Early 19th Century Ormolu Mounted Russian Opaline Crystal Covered Box. Of cylindrical form the highly translucent opalescent or opaline crystal is truly ma...
Category

1810s Russian Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

An Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Russian Opaline Crystal Covered Box
An Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Russian Opaline Crystal Covered Box

An Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Russian Opaline Crystal Covered Box

Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg. Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening. Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Table Box blue and gold with handpainted miniature fire-enameled on guilloche Sa
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal table box in 800/1000 silver gold plated with translucent enamel on guilloché and beautiful enamel miniature hand painted by the painter Renato Dainelli in early 1900s Engl...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Table Box blue and gold with handpainted miniature fire-enameled on guilloche Sa
Table Box blue and gold with handpainted miniature fire-enameled on guilloche Sa

Table Box blue and gold with handpainted miniature fire-enameled on guilloche Sa

19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Leather Jewelry Box on small brass balls with diamond pattern.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern
19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern

19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern

Jasperware Box with Greek-Key Design, Late 19th Century
By John Flaxman, Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English jasperware box with acanthus leaf and Greek-Key design, circa late-19th century, England. Piece is attributed to Wedgwood and design...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Stoneware

Jasperware Box with Greek-Key Design, Late 19th Century
Jasperware Box with Greek-Key Design, Late 19th Century

Jasperware Box with Greek-Key Design, Late 19th Century

Large Sewing Box Lacquer Work with Pastoral Scenes, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and intricately decorated Empire lacquer work sewing box. Early 19th century Europe. The box is decorated with pastoral scenes and an intricate pattern on the edges. The ins...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Beech

Large Sewing Box Lacquer Work with Pastoral Scenes, Early 19th Century
Large Sewing Box Lacquer Work with Pastoral Scenes, Early 19th Century

Large Sewing Box Lacquer Work with Pastoral Scenes, Early 19th Century

Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box

Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box

Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Purple Red...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very funny little snuff box with a text about Etimologie; the true learning or real learning, on the lids outside and a hidden erotic motive on the inside of the lid.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive
18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive

18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive

Egg on Tripod with folding frame for 6 photos Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod with folding photo frame for 6 photos, inside, in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guillochè. ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate

Egg on Tripod with folding frame for 6 photos Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg on Tripod with folding frame for 6 photos Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg on Tripod with folding frame for 6 photos Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg “music box” mechanism by the Swiss Maison Reuge Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg “music box” is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg “music box” has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg “music box”on smooth tripod containing a “music box”...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg “music box” mechanism by the Swiss Maison Reuge Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg “music box” mechanism by the Swiss Maison Reuge Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg “music box” mechanism by the Swiss Maison Reuge Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Plum enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Plum enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Plum enamel is Russian...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Silver Plated Rectangular Dolphin Footed Box with Lid
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
We see this charming 2 piece box for used as a trinket box for jewelry or keepsakes. Could also function standing alone on a coffee table or nightstand.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Silver Plated Rectangular Dolphin Footed Box with Lid
Silver Plated Rectangular Dolphin Footed Box with Lid

Silver Plated Rectangular Dolphin Footed Box with Lid

19th Century Wooden Carved Painted Display Cabinet Chest Tabernacle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
European 19th Century Wooden Carved Painted Display Cabinet featuring a mirror glass locking door. This versatile piece could be used to store jewelry or collectables. We also see th...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Mirror, Wood

19th Century Wooden Carved Painted Display Cabinet Chest Tabernacle
19th Century Wooden Carved Painted Display Cabinet Chest Tabernacle

19th Century Wooden Carved Painted Display Cabinet Chest Tabernacle

19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood. Charming piece as a decorative piece on a desk or library shelf and additionally could be used to hold jewelry on a dresser or nig...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood
19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood

19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood

Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Navy Blue enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Navy Blue enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Navy Blue en...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century. This Empire style box makes a wonderful addition to a collection of these classic brass boxes. This box is ve...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Boxes

Materials

Brass

Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century
Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century

Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century

Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché and an hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the e...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver

Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode with four dovetailed drawers. Made of burl of walnut veneer with oak and pine as secondary woods. Working locks with ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode

Sterling Silver Box Striped Fire Enameled Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Sterling silver Jewel box with Rectangular rounded corners gold plated with translucent fire enamel stripes on guilloche and hand engraved with late Russian Empire style ornament app...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Sterling Silver Box Striped Fire Enameled Salimbeni
Sterling Silver Box Striped Fire Enameled Salimbeni

Sterling Silver Box Striped Fire Enameled Salimbeni

Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful French late 19th century chest of drawers in black ebonized wood and cherrywood reproduces with perfect proportions in scale a miniature cabinet with three drawers and an upper flap door that opens to reveal a white marble top and an oval mirror inside, nice hand carved band on top with geometrical pattern and molded base. The black lacquered wood creates a wonderful contrast with the beautiful honey-colored wood grain. Despite its convenient size, extremely detailed, this chest of drawers is equipped with a white Carrara marble top and a small mirror that make it even more special and useful. The model of a piece of furniture was originally created by cabinet makers to show their skills to the customer and to present the sample of the furniture which would then have been produced on a larger scale. These commode miniatures, along with other specimens, were displayed in the craftsman's workshop to serve as examples to aid the potential client in making a selection. Some also think that these little chests were used as doll and puppets...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet

Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet

Crystal and bronze chest
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Crystal and bronze chest Empire style chest Crystal and gilded bronze materials Origin France Circa 1920 Excellent condition The Empire style (in French: style Empire) is a dominant ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Crystal and bronze chest
Crystal and bronze chest

Crystal and bronze chest

Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket
By Hester Bateman, Charles Nicolas Odiot, Towle Silversmiths, Gorham CO., Barbour Silver Co.
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Sterling Silver tea caddy / box Style Georgian, French Empire, Napoleonic, Dutch A sterling silver very stylized tea box with good working lock Decorated with embossed pearl...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Silver

Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket
Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket

Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket

Onyx Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful onyx and gold gilt bronze inkwell [ink well] box in the Empire style, circa 19th century, Europe. In addition to its intended use, piece makes a gorgeous standalone decor...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Onyx Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Onyx Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Inkwell

Onyx Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Inkwell

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire miniature commode. A well executed miniature chest made of walnut and veneer of walnut with two large drawers below a smaller top drawer and with solid walnut columns. Inscription written in ink on the back of each of the large drawers: Don D...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode

Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...
Category

1880s European Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box

Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box

Small Danish Empire Veneered and Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Period Empire Trinket Box in Veneered Mahogany and Brass Panels on the Edges, Denmark Circa 1825.
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Brass

Small Danish Empire Veneered and Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1825
Small Danish Empire Veneered and Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1825

Small Danish Empire Veneered and Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1825

Antique French Brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" Snuff Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French Brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" Snuff Box Step back into the glorious era of the French empire with this stunning Antique French brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" snuff box. A ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique French Brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" Snuff Box
Antique French Brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" Snuff Box

Antique French Brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" Snuff Box

Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular box with three tones of gold and royal blue enamel. The hinged lid is embellished with a multicolored gold medallion in relief featuring a bouquet of roses and tulips, se...
Category

Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold

Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work
Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work

Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work

French 19th Century Empire Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Decorative Jewelry Box
Located in Firenze, IT
This French Empire 19th century rectangular porcelain dresser box or jewlery decorative casket has a wonderfully patinated powder blue/cerulean light blue background color and features grotesque masks, architectural vase, fruit, flowers and leafy scrolled design throughout painted as a trompe l’oeil in the round. Ormolu mounts enrich the whole box. The paintings on this casket are striking as is the color palette used, a wonderful mix of light purple, cream, blue and soft brown. The lid is centered by a grotesque mask inspired by antiquity. The front, back and sides are profusely decorated with architectural elements, cartouches and volutes. The design is centered by a vase with a fruit arrangement that appear to be plums. The decoration could refer to the allegory of autumn and the mask painted on the lid could refer to Bacchus. Both the color of the porcelain and the paintings are very unusual and a sign of high quality and uniqueness.The box was most probably given to a high-ranking lady as a gift on the occasion of her marriage, or perhaps after the birth of a child. The lidded box is fitted with ormolu mounts, hinges and clasp. A gilt bronze band finelly chiseled in the form of a rope adorns the upper part. The trinket box rests on four gilt bronze lion paw feet. This striking French porcelain box...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Decorative Jewelry Box
French 19th Century Empire Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Decorative Jewelry Box

French 19th Century Empire Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Decorative Jewelry Box

Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts
Located in London, GB
A French late 19th century Empire style crystal box with classical gilt bronze mounts.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts
Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts

Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts

Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box
By Jean-Pierre Feuillet
Located in New York, NY
An Important and very rare Empire period Paris porcelain ormolu-mounted Empire rectangular shaped two-handled casket decorated and assembled by ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box
Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box

Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box

Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very decorative Empire-style crystal sweet box, or Bonbonnière, intricately clad in a gilt-brass frame, with elaborately worked gilt metal mounts of the ar...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box
Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box

Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box

X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Empire boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire boxes 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 boxes, popular names associated with this style include Franco Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni, Ivan Ivanovich Futikin, and Olle Hermansson. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $170 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $1,480.

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