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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
Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni
Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni

Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni

$26,492

Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni

By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Rectangular shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-engravings fire enameled hand-painted like lapis lazuli stone and beautiful hand-painted enameled ...

Category

1970s 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

$854

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

Egg style Faberge Savoia blue Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg style Faberge Savoia blue Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge Savoia blue Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni

$1,316

Egg style Faberge Savoia blue Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Small egg 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 century, early 20th...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814
Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814

Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814

$659

Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814

Located in Bilzen, BE

Combat of March 30, 1814. On the heights of Saint Chaumont where an Artillery post served by students of the École Polytechnique fought fiercely and was saved from death by General S...

Category

1810s French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Wood

Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside
Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside

Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside

$10,992

Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside

By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Octagonal box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated with translucent fired enamels and featuring a handpainted monochrome miniature on guilloche of a sailing ship on the lid, depi...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold, 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

$2,628

Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

By Franco Salimbeni, 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

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

$1,082

X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel 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 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 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

$1,082

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

X-Small Egg style Faberge Sapphire Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
X-Small Egg style Faberge Sapphire Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

X-Small Egg style Faberge Sapphire Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni

$1,082

X-Small Egg style Faberge Sapphire Blue 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

$1,167

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

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

$2,608

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 style Faberge Dark Brown Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Egg style Faberge Dark Brown Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Egg style Faberge Dark Brown Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni

$1,306

Egg style Faberge Dark Brown Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Small egg 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 century, early 20th...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

French Empire Boxwood Tabatière with Erotic Enamel Plaque and Gilded Bronze Acce
French Empire Boxwood Tabatière with Erotic Enamel Plaque and Gilded Bronze Acce

French Empire Boxwood Tabatière with Erotic Enamel Plaque and Gilded Bronze Acce

$1,637

French Empire Boxwood Tabatière with Erotic Enamel Plaque and Gilded Bronze Acce

Located in Kastrup, DK

A French Empire tabatière, exquisitely crafted from boxwood. The lid is adorned with an erotic enamel plaque, elegantly framed by a gilded bronze band, while the underside features a...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Boxes

Materials

Bronze, 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

$8,332

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

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

Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

$3,954

Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco 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

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

$6,134

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

By Salimbeni, Franco 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

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

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode

$1,800

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

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

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

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

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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