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Empire Boxes

87 Results
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
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

$360Sale Price|20% Off

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

Empire Sewing Box in the Form of a Nightstand, circa 1800.
Empire Sewing Box in the Form of a Nightstand, circa 1800.

Empire Sewing Box in the Form of a Nightstand, circa 1800.

$1,450

Empire Sewing Box in the Form of a Nightstand, circa 1800.

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

An exceptional and rare Vienna Empire period Sewing box, ingeniously designed in the form of a miniature architectural nightstand and dating to the beginning of the 19th century. Crafted from solid mahogany and raised on a contrasting ebonized square plinth base, the cylindrical body is accented with finely chased ormolu vertical mounts featuring delicate neoclassical ornament. A diamond-shaped escutcheon reinforces the illusion of a functional cabinet, landing architectural character to the design. The piece is crowned with a white marble top set within a turned collar. The top unscrews by an integrated wooden threads to reveal a fitted interior with its original sewing implements executed in bone, ivory and glass with ormolu trim. The precision of the fittings and the clever mechanical construction reflect the refined craftsmanship of Period Viennese workshops. This example beautifully embodies the Viennese interpretation of Empire design with its architectural elegance, merging sculptural presence with function. A rare and sophisticated early 19th century Viennese sewing necessaire...

Category

Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Elegant Miniature Vanity in Mahogany – Paris, Mid-19th Century
Elegant Miniature Vanity in Mahogany – Paris, Mid-19th Century

Elegant Miniature Vanity in Mahogany – Paris, Mid-19th Century

$2,123

Elegant Miniature Vanity in Mahogany – Paris, Mid-19th Century

Located in Knivsta, SE

Elegant Miniature Vanity in Mahogany – Paris, Mid-19th Century An exquisite late Empire miniature piece, crafted in central Paris around 1850. Made of fine mahogany (Swietenia maho...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Glass, Birdseye Maple, 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

$390

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

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

$360Sale Price|20% Off

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

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

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

$1,285

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

By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché and hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl F...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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

$3,385

Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket

By Charles Nicolas Odiot, Barbour Silver Co., Gorham CO., Towle Silversmiths, Hester Bateman

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

19th Century Tribute Box to Napoleon Bonaparte
19th Century Tribute Box to Napoleon Bonaparte

19th Century Tribute Box to Napoleon Bonaparte

$1,009

19th Century Tribute Box to Napoleon Bonaparte

Located in Beuzevillette, FR

A very beautiful rectangular box made of fine porcelain, decorated in the imperial style of the First Empire. The decoration, dominated by green and gold tones, illustrates the refin...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

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

$1,202

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 Yellow Enamel hand painted wreaths Salimbeni
X-Small Egg style Faberge Yellow Enamel hand painted wreaths Salimbeni

X-Small Egg style Faberge Yellow Enamel hand painted wreaths Salimbeni

$1,285

X-Small Egg style Faberge Yellow Enamel hand painted wreaths Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché and hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl F...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pill Box Empire style handpainted Sterling Silver fine hand engravings Salimbeni
Pill Box Empire style handpainted Sterling Silver fine hand engravings Salimbeni

Pill Box Empire style handpainted Sterling Silver fine hand engravings Salimbeni

$750

Pill Box Empire style handpainted Sterling Silver fine hand engravings Salimbeni

By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Shaped pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a hand-painted miniature with fired enamel by the painter Romano Buccioni in the Louis XVI Empire style of the second hal...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century French Empire Style Salesman Sample
19th Century French Empire Style Salesman Sample

19th Century French Empire Style Salesman Sample

$1,815

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

X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

$1,457

X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red 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

18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box.
18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box.

18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box.

$1,900

18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box.

Located in Middleburg, VA

18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box. Exquisite Indian craftsmanship made of teak with decorative brass on a patinated red lacquered surface with intricate ...

Category

18th Century Indian Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Brass

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

18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive

$1,450

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

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

$10,402

Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Giorgio 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

Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni

Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni

$7,363

Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni

By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enameled engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature in 18th century French Empire style. Dimension...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pair of Sceaux Faux Porphyry Tobacco Jars, 19th Century
Pair of Sceaux Faux Porphyry Tobacco Jars, 19th Century

Pair of Sceaux Faux Porphyry Tobacco Jars, 19th Century

$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off

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

Vintage Marble Lidded Box with Brass Accents and Dolphin Handle
Vintage Marble Lidded Box with Brass Accents and Dolphin Handle

Vintage Marble Lidded Box with Brass Accents and Dolphin Handle

$189

Vintage Marble Lidded Box with Brass Accents and Dolphin Handle

Located in Hamburg, DE

This cylindrical marble box with a lid is a sophisticated decorative piece that blends vintage charm with historical design influences. Crafted in the 1970s, it features a lightly pa...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Marble

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

$1,250

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

Russian Silver Niello Tobacco Box, Moscow, circa 1820-1830
Russian Silver Niello Tobacco Box, Moscow, circa 1820-1830

Russian Silver Niello Tobacco Box, Moscow, circa 1820-1830

$950

Russian Silver Niello Tobacco Box, Moscow, circa 1820-1830

By Gustav Klingert

Located in Sarasota, 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

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

$720Sale Price|40% Off

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

Pressed Wood Snuff Box of Place Vendome, French, Early 19th Century
Pressed Wood Snuff Box of Place Vendome, French, Early 19th Century

Pressed Wood Snuff Box of Place Vendome, French, Early 19th Century

$950

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

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

$5,763 / item

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

Danish Late Empire Tobacco Box in Nobel Wood, Lid with Walrus Tooth
Danish Late Empire Tobacco Box in Nobel Wood, Lid with Walrus Tooth

Danish Late Empire Tobacco Box in Nobel Wood, Lid with Walrus Tooth

$833

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

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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