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.
1
55
to
9
27
27
55
55
55
989
722
640
604
235
223
160
160
115
94
90
86
85
83
55
51
37
27
1
45
9
2
4
3
1
2
2
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
36
21
12
9
7
47
22
8
6
5
3
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
Butter Casket Empire Bronze Porphyry Sweden \\\'800
Located in Milano, IT
Casket in Swedish porphyry, the faceted cylindrical body is equipped with a slightly rounded circular lid with spiral facets, with a pinecone-shaped gilded bronze grip and connected ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Pair of Sceaux Faux Porphyry Tobacco Jars, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of jars with covers with old repairs and chips.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Faience
French 19th century Guilloché Silver Snuff-box
Located in St. Catharines, ON
An elegant French silver tabatière or snuff box, overall decorated with guilloché or engine-turned panels, in a regular wavy pattern creating the illusion of movement. In fine condit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Silver
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
19th Century Empire Box in Mahogany and Boxwood, around 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th Century Empire Box in Mahogany and Boxwood was made around 1810.
It is in great vintage condition.
A unique piece which is a great eye-catcher for your antique, m...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Brass
Swedish Love letter pocket in the shape of a book from the Empire period 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Love letter pocket in the shape of a book from the Empire period 1820s. Made by bookbinder A.U. Hagman, Gothenburg Sweden during the 1820s. Includes a number of letters from ...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Leather, Paper
19th Century French Playing Card Box Rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Large casket, rosewood solid and veneered, France circa 1860/70, brass handle embedded in the lid, brass inlays, nice division inside (originally for tokens and cards), restored cond...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
Ivan Ivanovich Futikin 1871 Russia Moscow Vesta Striker Case 875 Silver & Niello
By Ivan Ivanovich Futikin
Located in Miami, FL
Vesta case with wick cord designed by Futikin Ivan Ivanovich.
Exceptional and very beautiful vesta striker case from the late 19rh century, created in Mo...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Silver
First Empire Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Mounted Box with Apollo in His Chariot
Located in Nashville, TN
The box a trinket or bon-bon box , adorned with bronze lid and Apollo in his sunburst adorned chariot , the sides with griffins , floral urns .
Most likely and expensive gift or sou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Brass Wall Utensil Holder, Empire, Early 19th C, with Roman Goddess with Putti
Located in Knivsta, SE
Brass Wall Utensil Holder, Empire, Early 19th C, with Roman Goddess with Putti
This highly ornate utensil holder is made in repoussé brass. It features a scene of a Roman Goddess in...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Brass
Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket
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
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
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
Beech, Lacquer
Small Danish Empire Veneered Keepsake Box, Circa 1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Period Empire Trinket Box in Veneered Mahogany and Brass Panels on the Edges , Denmark Circa 1825. This box is unusual because it has a ringed hardware on the top of the box.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Brass
Egg on Tripod with folding frame for 6 photos Sterling Silver 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, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Old Wooden Cigar Box, Empire Style, Probably Swedish
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
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
Rectangular Deep Forrest Green Marble and Bronze Jewelry Box, Italian circa 1930
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Deep Forrest Green Marble Jewelry Box on Bronze Feet, Italy.
This rectangular box has vintage blue velvet interior and the original bronze hardw...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Boxes
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Snuff Box Light Blue Ornament in Relief, Empire Style Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular pocket snuff box with oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, with laurel ornament in relief in Empire style. Wit...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box “The Great Odalisque” Fired Enamel on Guilloche Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
table box in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with edges with fire - enamelled stripes and upper frame with insertion of paillons in pure gold and beautRectangular iful fire-enam...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
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
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
Gold Snuff Box with Portrait of Napoleon by Jean-Baptiste Isabey '1767–1855'
Located in New York, US
Our gold snuff box is distinguished by its exceptional portrait of Emperor Napoleon I (1769-1821) by the revered miniature painter, Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767–1855), signed and dated 1807. Isabey portrays the emperor in the green uniform of the chasseurs a cheval with red sash and silver breast-star of the Imperial French Order of the Legion of Honour. Pinned to his left lapel are the badges of the Imperial French Order of the Legion of Honour and the badge of the Royal Italian Order of the Iron Crown of Lombardy. The portrait is bordered by blue enamel and an outer border of rosettes and leaves.
3 1/2 by 2 1/2 by 5/8 inches. Weight: 135 g, 4.76 oz, 4.34 troy oz.
Hallmarks on the underside of this German-made box include an assay mark, a lion rampant and maker's mark which is heavily worn.
Born in Nancy, France, Isabey arrived in Paris in 1785 to study with Jacques-Louis David. His earliest clients included the family of Eugène Rose de Beauharnais...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Gold, Enamel
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Brass
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 C. French Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Glass Jewelry Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
19th C. French Ormolu mounted white opaline glass jewelry box.
Measures: 7" X 3-1/8"X 4"
Opaline glass was produced throughout nearly the entirety of the 19th century, though i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Russian Burlwood Box with Ancient Roman Soldier Decoration, circa 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Russian 19th Century Burlwood Jewelry or Tobacco Box. The tip of the box is decorated with a silver plaque of an Ancient Roman Soldier's head and helmet.
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Silver
Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim
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
Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
Pair of Silver Plated Boxes in Empire Style
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of silver plated boxes in Empire style, probably made in the late 19th century och early 20th century. Perfect for cufflinks or jewellery. Nice quality.
Wear consistent wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Silver Plate
Empire Travel Sewing & Writing Set, France, Early 19th Century, circa 1815
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Luxurious travel set for a lady, French early 19th century production - Empire period circa 1815. This travel set is mainly composed of sewing accessories...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Apprentice Commode in Walnut with Lift Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th century French Empire Apprentice Commode in walnut with lift top. Table top item.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Lacquered Papier-mâché Snuff Box with Parrot and Lady
By Stobwasser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th century hand painted black lacquered Papier-Mâché snuff box or vanity box
Crafted in Austria in the early 1800's, the decorative box features a hand painted scene of a yo...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Lacquer, Paper, Wood
Danish Early 19th Century Empire Tobacco Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
A charming mahogany tobacco box in an architecturally intriguing form. The top of the lid is adorned with a small knob of bone.
Great quality and craftsmanship.
Empire. Denmark, ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Bone, Mahogany
Danish Late Empire Tobacco Box in Nobel Wood, Lid with Walrus Tooth
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire tobacco box in rosewood.
The top of the lid is adorned with a walrus tooth.
Denmark 1830-1840.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
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
French Crystal Casket Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a beautiful French crystal gold doré acanthus box with gilt mounts and locking key.
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Boxes
Materials
Crystal
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 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
Russian Silver Niello Tobacco Box, Moscow, circa 1820-1830
Located in Gainesville, FL
Russian silver niello tobacco box with finely etched pastoral scenes and interior gold wash. The box is marked on inside with "84" for Russian si...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Silver
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
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
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
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
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
Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box
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
Russian Cloisonné Card Case in Silver Gilt
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 20th century Russian silver gilt cloisonné case
This beautiful piece is lavishly decorated, but with a different design on each side.
One side...
Category
Early 1900s Russian Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Enamel
19th Century French Empire Style Salesman Sample
Located in Dallas, TX
Charming French late 19th century Empire style salesman sample. Makes a fine accessory.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Wood
Pavel Sazikov, Imperial Russian 84° Silver & Gilt Box, St. Petersburg, ca. 1856
By Pavel Sazikov
Located in New York, NY
Weight: 5 troy ounces (142.1 grams)
This fine work of silversmith art was made during the era of Pavel Sazikov, the original founder of the firm, which makes it especially valuable ...
Category
1850s Russian Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Silver
Pressed Wood Snuff Box, 19th Century "Fete Flamande"
Located in Spencertown, NY
Dancing scene with violinist and dancing couple.
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Boxes
Late 19th Century Octagonal Enamel Box
Located in London, GB
The enamel and mother-of-pearl inlaid gilded box centered with a depiction of a couple in a wooded landscape, the interior lined in red velvet.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Ormolu
Pressed Wood Snuff Box of Place Vendome, French, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular box depicting Place Vendome with quote on bottom 'COLON DE LA PLACE VENDOME.' The interior with collectors label 'EVAN THOMAS COLLECTION 408.’
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century European Inlaid Box For 2 Sets of Playing Cards
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century European Inlaid Game Box For Two Decks of Playing Cards.
The box is richly decorated with inlaid fruitwood and holds two set of playing cards.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Medicine Safe Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted metal cabinet with Goddess of medicine in relief. Secret secondary key-mechanism hiding extra keyhole.
NB:
Complimentary delivery wit...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Boxes
Materials
Metal
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 21st Century and Contemporary, 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 decor, 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 Italy 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, Cenedese, and Pavel Sazikov. 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 £253 and tops out at £69,671 while the average work can sell for £1,267.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Tortoiseshell Boxes
Limoges France Porcelain Box
Inlay Decorative Tray
Wooden Boxes Walnut
Brass Box India
17th Century Wood Box
Tortoiseshell Inlaid
Antique Make Up Box
Antique Tin Cans
Antique Tin Cans Tins
Antique Tin Can
Vintage Wooden Box
Pill Box Vintage Pill Boxes
Pill Boxes Vintage Pill Boxes
Chinese Box And Cover
Marquetry Jewelry
Brass Bound Box
England Tool Box