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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
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.

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