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Empire Cabinets

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 Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Bookcases Set of 2
Located in Pomona, CA
A pair of French Empire bookcases / China cabinets. Ebonized side pillars with brass capitals. Gilt appliques to top and bottom front. Beveled g...
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Glass

Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Oak

Late Empire Flamed Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oval pedestal cabinet, late empire. Mirror-cut flamed mahogany with beautiful grain. Door flanked by columns with wood-carved capitals. Behind the door 3...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Late 19th Century French empire mahogany and ormolu cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality french empire revival mahogany cabinet circa 1890. Generous proportions and as with all furniture of this scale and period it was built to come apart. Central glazed d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Black French Pair of Empire Pinewood Cabinets, Antique Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French pair of cabinets made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed commodes are supported by four short arched feet, consisting its origi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Demilune Cabinet
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
French demi lune sideboard in mahogany. Empire, circa 1820. Two-door corpus in demi lune form. Mahogany veneered on oak. One drawer. Newer slightly overhanging granite top instea...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Granite

Late Empire Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant oval late empire pedestal cabinet in beautiful walnut veneered oak. Door veneered with mirror-cut walnut, behind which there are removable shelves. Very fine quality Made in ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Oak, Walnut, Burl

18th Century Antique North German Pine Sun Armoire with Gesso Appliqué
Located in Miami, FL
This exceptional one-of-a-kind armoire from the area of Bremen has the original pink gesso appliqués, circa 1790.  Fabricated from a beautiful knot-less dense pine, the carved ribbed...
Category

1790s German Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Gesso, Pine

Large Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This large antique late Empire corner cabinet exudes the grandeur and elegance characteristic of the 1840s. Crafted from rich mahogany, a prized wood choice for furniture of this era...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Late Empire Tall Cabinet of Dark Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late Empire tall cabinet, crafted from dark polished mahogany, is a stunning example of 19th-century craftsmanship. Dating back to 1840, it s...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French 20th Century Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Display your treasured objects in this beautiful early 20th century French Empire style mahogany vitrine. Beveled glass panels can be found in the case antique’s door and sides, allowing one to view the contents placed inside on its two glass shelves. A mirrored back gives the illusion of a completely transparent cabinet. The vitrine has recently undergone a refinishing, giving the antique a ‘like new’ appearance. The wonderful brass hardware found at the capital and base of the pilaster columns which flank the door has been polished to a brilliant luster - along with the sabots that cap the front feet. Inside, two additional finished mahogany lower shelves can be used to house objects...
Category

20th Century French Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Mid 19th century Danish flame mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality danish 2 part tall mahogany cabinet circa 1860. Top section with scrolled cornice and applied swags, double doors with shaped panels open to reveal 3 adjustable pine sh...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Interesting Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Interesting Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Cabinet The Vert marble top above two large doors mounted with angels, the top ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large Empire Danish Glass Cabinet, Bookcase in Mahogany with Bronze Details
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant late Empire 4 doors glass and wood cabinet, bookcase in mahogany. Pair of locking paned glass doors sitting atop pair of locking wood d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately French Empire flame mahogany cabinet. The top has a straight edge above a frieze with a pyramidal architectural feature. The c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Antique Napoleonic French Empire Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Wine Cabinet Armoire 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality French Empire Napoleonic period Mahogany & parcel gilt wine cabinet/armoire, circa 1810. Made of the finest mahogany this cabinet has the shape of a secretaire ab...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany bookcase cabinet with bronze trim and 2 glass doors.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Cuban Mahogany "Somno" Side Table, circa 1805
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful "Somno" side table made of high quality Cuban mahogany with a grey marble top. This French Empire piece dates from the early 19th century, circa 1805. Meaning sleep in ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Exquisite Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstands
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstand Chests With Mounted Gilt Provenance: From an Establishment on Belgrave Square London see images7 Known to be ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Pair of Early 19th Century French Boulle Cabinets
By Etienne Levasseur
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An important pair of early 19th century French cabinets, made by Pierre-Étienne Levasseur. gilt bronze mounted ebony and ebonised, cut-brass, pewter and faux tortoiseshell marquetry cabinets in the Boulle style. The rectangular top with brass-mounted rim over decorated ormolu frieze above four reeded brass inlaid pillars with brass capitals, the exceptional centre door profusely decorated with ormolu scrolls and head mounts, flanked by two glazed doors decorated in red boulle and silver inlay, the interiors fitted with shelves, the base with four Bacchic masks terminating on turned tapering toupie ormolu-mounted feet. Provenance: Kilkenny Castle, Ireland. Purchased new by either, Walter Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormond, (2nd creation in the Irish Peerage, 1770-1820) or James Butler...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Fossilized marble cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Fossilized marble cabinet. This wonderful demi lune shaped cabinet is raised on four Mahogany block fe...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique French Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique French walnut marble top bedside cabinet, dating from around the 1880-1900 period. It is of superb quality and it is a very use...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Empire Guillotine Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Empire guillotine cabinet. Fine Neoclassical fruitwood and mahogany vitrine small bookcase cabinet with glass panel door àla guillotine above t...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850 A walnut cabinet, mid-19th century, in the French style, with applied gilt brass mounts, on a shaped plinth base. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cylinder burl walnut pedestal cabinet. Late empire. Oak beautifully veneered with walnut. A large front door that opens to reveal a set of four shelve...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Barber Piece Empire Period Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant barber furniture in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer from the early 19th century Empire period Very beautiful barbière composed of 5 drawers. interior of the drawers in oa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet. The attractive and original Verde Antico marble top above three freize drawers. The central door with a burr-amboyna l...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Mahogany Small Chest
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) mahogany small chest with 4 drawers and bronze trim with a black marble top There are splits in the wood at the side of the piece.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Late Empire North German Corner Cabinet In Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Senempire corner cabinet from Northern Germany, made of polished mahogany and dated to the 1840s, is a splendid representative of the elegance and sophistication typical ...
Category

1840s German Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire Column Cabinet from the North of Sweden
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Empire column cabinet from Northern Sweden. A useful piece of furniture for one of those difficult to fill spaces. With good storage and scraped to original paint. Late...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Italian antique empire style wooden cabinet with door and drawer, 1850s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique empire style wooden cabinet with door and drawer, 1850s. Empire style cabinet, in veneered wood with winged columns, central drawer and hinged door. Perfect as a side...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Restored Empire Small Cabinet, Spruce, Cherry, Revived Polish, Czech, 1870s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This two-door cabinet from the second half of the 19th century originates from the Czech Republic and is made from a combination of cherry and spruce wood. Its design resembles a min...
Category

1870s Czech Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Cherry, Spruce

French Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Four Doors Cabinets, Armoire or Dry Bar
Located in Firenze, IT
These imposing solid mahogany cabinets with gilt bronze mounts in the style of the Louis XVI French Empire furnished the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. It has recen...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century Bronze Mounted French Empire Cabinet
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century French Empire cabinet with bronze mounts and leather top. 2 drawers over 2 door cabinet.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Rare Classical Empire Finely Carved Cellarette in Mahogany, circa 1830
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful form carved Classical Empire cellarette in mahogany with gadrooned edges, hinged top, zinc lined interior, and small brass decorative...
Category

1830s English Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Zinc

Large Empire Bureau Of Hand Polished Mahogany With Inlaid Wood from 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This grand Empire bureau is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the 1820s, crafted from hand-polished mahogany adorned with intricate inlaid wood detailing. Its imposing pr...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire 19th Century Walnut Bookcase-Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Small French Empire bookcase/cabinet with framed glazed sides, featuring a molded wooden elongated X on the inside, one wire-mesh-inset door, the corners e...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Large Late Empire Chatol Made In Mahogany From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
The large Late Empire hand-polished mahogany chatol with marquetry from the 1820s is an impressive piece of furniture that exudes an aura of elegance and historical significance. The...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Style Custom Made Cabinet
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style custom made cabinet, hand made by Lion Crest Woodworking of Sarasota, FL. The cabinet top has rounded edges with a decorative beaded section in front. A single ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

French Mahogany Two-Drawer Chest, Early 20th Century, Empire Style Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French mahogany two-drawer chest from the early 20th century. This antique French chest features two dovetailed drawers decorated with exquisite Empire style hardware. The keyholes...
Category

20th Century French Empire Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century French Oak Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 19th Century French Oak Pedestal Cabinet. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with ques...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of Empire Mahogany Commodes, circa 1820
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Rectangular top above three graduated recessed drawers flanked by three quarter rounded ebonized columns raised on plinth block feet.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Danish Mahogany Empire Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
A remarkably elegant 19th century Empire cabinet that features beautiful crotch mahogany veneer. A drawer above one door that encloses three stationary shelves as well as a drawer be...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 19th Century Empire Dutch Bombe Solid Oak Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
An elegant Dutch cabinet or cupboard that was made in The Netherlands, circa 1820s. It was completely made in the best quality fine European oak. It has a bombe base ending on claw and ball feet. The base houses 4 drawers each with the original brass key plates and drawer pulls. All drawers are equipped with working locks with a key. The upper cabinet has two elegant doors with beautiful recessed panels. Behind the doors, there are three drawers situated at the bottom, above a shelf with two cutlery drawers underneath. The doors can be opened 180 degrees due to the ingenious hinges. The cabinet has a concave and convex molded cornice with a central hand carved pediment The pediment shows scrolls and acanthus and would have showcased the largest piece of the “Kaststel”. The corniche has three flat areas that were meant to support a set of Chinese porcelain or delft earth ware...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany, Ormolu and Verde Marble cabinets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany, Ormolu, and Verde Antico Marble cabinets. Each four drawer two door cabinet is raised by two fr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Cabinet on Stands 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire side cabinet on stand This Pretty Cabinet Stands Upon Typical Shaped French Legs. Circa 1870 The Single Door Features...
Category

1870s Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Russian Neoclassical Style Cabinets or Commodes Marble Top
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Maison Jansen Russian neoclassical style cabinets. These massive and impressive cabinets are wonderfully bronze mounted and each support a greenish black and white veined mar...
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Cherub Vitrine Curio Cabinet w/ Onyx Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Winged Cherub Gold Gilt Vitrine Curio Cabinet. Item features onyx stone top, angel/cherub legs with wings, paw feet, distressed gold gilt finish, glass on all s...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets

Materials

Onyx

19th Century Cabinet / cupboard in antique Empire Style Mahogany Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid wood. High-arched, architecturally designed corpus, single-door base, open-sided shelf, flanked by columns with capitals and bases of finely chiselled bronze, sligh...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Regency Empire Glass Etagere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Empire glass cabinet. A chic mahogany with gorgeous Ormolu detail. Interior mirror and glass make the cabinet really light up. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Empire Display Cabinet Mahogany Bijouterie, 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire Style mahogany display cabinet. circa 1880 This Excellent Quality Cabinet Stands Upon Fluted Tapered Legs With a Fluted Frieze. The Single Glazed Door Featuring Ormo...
Category

1880s Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Russian 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Deux-Corps Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and grand scale Russian 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Deux-Corps cabinet. The cabinet is raised by fine ball feet encased by handsome ormolu claws. Ab...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

French Antique Ormolu Mounted Two-Piece Marble-Top Cabinet in the Empire Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French antique ormolu-mounted two-piece marble-top cabinet in the Empire style. Crafted in solid mahogany with fabulous bronze mounts reminiscent of the Empire style using Egypt...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Marble Topped Vitrine in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Antique French marble topped vitrine in the Empire style French, 19th century Measures: Height 132cm, width 72cm, depth 47cm This antique mahogany vitrine was made in France and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Wynwood Flex Steel Empire Carved Cherry Wood Glass Display Curio China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Empire Style Carved Cherry Wood Glass Display Curio China Cabinet by Wynwood Flex Steel. Item features a carved wood backsplash, spiral carved columns, original label, 2 drawers, 2 a...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Cherry

Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
Impressive Empire style buffet by Maison Krieger French, circa 1900 Measures: Height 199cm, width 217cm, depth 66cm This magnificent Empire style c...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Vanity Cabinet with Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood cabinet, crafted in France circa 1860, exemplifies classic Empire style. The antique vanity is decorated with finely carved circular columns on both sides, eac...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire cabinets 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 cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire cabinets made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Maison Krieger, A.M.E Fournier, Europa Antiques, and R.J. Horner & Co.. 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 cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,210 and tops out at $445,969 while the average work can sell for $6,714.

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