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.
102
1
1
to
8
52
51
104
104
104
2,246
1,699
658
533
303
271
255
247
214
178
173
165
121
116
104
94
77
28
2
85
15
2
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
102
55
52
27
25
89
55
15
15
6
2
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
19th Century Walnut Empire Chest
Located in New Orleans, LA
Discover the elegance and grandeur of the 19th Century with this Walnut Empire Commode. It is a stunning piece of furniture that epitomizes the luxurious style and impeccable craftsm...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
French Late 20th Century Louis XVI Period Mounted Cabinet Vitrine
Located in Miami, FL
An extremely high quality and elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI period mahogany and ormolu-mounted cabinet vitrine which is finished on all sides. The cabinet is raised by t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Cabinets
Materials
Cherry
Exceptional French Empire Neoclassical "Retour d'Egypte" Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional French Empire neoclassical "Retour d'Egypte" cabinet. All original, including the marble top.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Small Chest
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style late 19th century mahogany small chest with 4 drawers and bronze trim with a black marble top.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Period Mahogany, Marble and Gilt Bronze Cabinet
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mahogany cabinet was crafted in France in the early 19th century, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor (1804-1814,15). The cabinet features a wide rectangular body, top...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
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
Burr-Amboyna, Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cabinet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
This beautiful display cabinet was crafted by the prestigious furniture company, Maison Krieger. The firm was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger. Over the course of the 19th century,...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Mahogany Etagere
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany etagere with bronze trim and shaped back rail above shelves with lyre form sides.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Chest with Brown Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany chest with 4 drawers and bronze handles and escutcheons with a brown marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass
Exceptional French Empire Neoclassical "Retour d'Egypte" Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional French Empire Neoclassical "Retour d'Egypte" cabinet. All original, including the marble top.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Pair Of Russian Neoclassical Style Cabinets or Commodes Marble Top
Located in Stamford, CT
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
Wynwood Flex Steel Empire Carved Cherry Wood Glass Display Curio China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wynwood Flex steel empire carved cherry wood glass display curio china cabinet. Item features carved wood backsplash, spiral carved columns, beaut...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Cherry
French Empire Wing Cherub Gold Gilt Vitrine Curio Display Cabinet Onyx Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century French empire winged cherub gold gilt vitrine curio display cabinet pedestal with onyx top. Item features onyx stone top, angel/cherub...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Onyx
French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase Bibliotheque, Late 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional quality French Empire style mahogany bookcase - bibliotheque with finely cast gilt bronze mounts and interior fitted with 4 shelves.
Very fine workmanship. In excelle...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Pedestal Mahogany Cabinet with Faux Tortoise Columns, Denmark, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
A handsome and unusual form, this Empire pedestal cabinet in mahogany with line inlays has carved acanthus capitals on tapered torch-like columns that are in rich birch wood and have...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany
Empire Style Glass Door Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Good Quality French 19th Century China Cabinet from Paris. Empire. C.1820
Dimensions:
W:31″
D:16″
H: 64.5″
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Antique display cabinet from the late 19th century, France.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique display cabinet from around 1880, France.
Dimensions: height 178 cm / width 76 cm / depth 42 cm
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Sleeper
Located in Beaune, FR
Empire period Cuban mahogany somno with grey Sainte Anne marble top. It opens to one door and is in good condition.
Dimensions
Height 83cm
Diameter 42.5cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Late Empire Danish Oval Pedestal Cabinet in Walnut Root
Located in Kastrup, DK
An oval pedestal cabinet veneered in striking walnut root. The front features a single door, revealing shelves inside, while fluted profiled moldings adorn the sides.
The top is crow...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
English Empire-Style Oak Cabinet From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
English Empire-Style Oak Cabinet From the Late 19th Century
An English Empire-style cabinet made of oak, dating back to the late 19th century. The semicircular piece of furniture fe...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
By David Linley
Located in Brussels, BE
Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Mobiletti impero francesi in Mogano con fregi in bronzo e piano in un bel marmo
Located in Cesena, FC
Coppia di mobiletti impero (1850 circa).
Mobiletti impero francesi, in Mogano con fregi in bronzo, con colonna intera e piano in un bel marmo grigio, sportelli con ripiani interni.
...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Fruitwood Continental Style Sideboard / Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Crafted in the mid-18th century in the United States, this fruitwood continental style sideboard/cabinet exemplifies exceptional American craftsmanship. The cabinet features exterior...
Category
1760s American Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Empire Style Rosewood Cabinet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style rosewood cabinet, 19th century. With a nicely figured rectangular rosewood top, two frieze drawers, two doors each with arched tops and lozenge shaped grill work...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
19th Century French mahogany veneered Empire cabinet.
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century French mahogany veneered Cabinet
1820, France
Mahogany
Mahogany, veneered on oak. Straight, vertically rectangular body, flanked by set caryatids on a narrow frame and ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Low Table Cabinet
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Mid-20th century low table cabinet.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Empire Cabinets
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique French Bedside Chests Empire Kidney Bean Nightstands 1930
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a pair of French bedside chests of kidney bean form
Very cute and dainty pair with two drawers each and a brass gallery
Original ormolu fixtures and features intricat...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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
Antique French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Bust Stand Cabinet 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb French Empire mahogany and ormolu mounted pedestal cabinet, Circa 1870 in date.
THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS PEDESTAL IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
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
Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Bedside Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular Portola marble top over a drawer and grill cabinet door all flanked by columns.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Empire Library, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large library with five glazed doors flanked by columns in the upper section and three double doors in the lower section. The fronts of the doors as well as the pilaster strips, the ...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Somno Cuban Mahogany Egg Cup
Located in Beaune, FR
Rare somno egg cup in Cuban mahogany opening with a door with a gray Sainte Anne marble top. Empire style, this somno is in good condition.
Dimensions
...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble
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
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 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
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
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
Oak Dresser, circa 1920
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
An oak French Empire style dresser from circa 1920, with a drawer and display part. The cabinet has the original antique glass. Pilaster detailing...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Glass
Exquisite Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstands
Located in High Wycombe, GB
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
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet circa 1890.
This cupboard was constructed using a flat pack technique, with panels held in place by bolts.
Central door with ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Confiturier ~ Cabinet ~ Dry Bar
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Empire Confiturier ~ Cabinet ~ Dry Bar will make a great addition in rooms used for entertainment. It's also a good choice as a bedside companion, or just a shal...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
Mid 19th century Danish empire mahogany mirror on cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century danish mahogany mirror on cabinet circa 1860.
Beautiful piece of mid 19th century danish furniture strong in the influence of the regency period.
Comprising of 2 p...
Category
1860s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Antique Pair of English Mahogany Cellarettes circa Mid-1800s with Lion Paw Feet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique pair of Cellarettes or Liquor Cabinets imported from England, that were generally custom made wooden chests intended to transport or store a small number of alcoholic beverages. Made of finer woods, like mahogany or rosewood and in numerous shapes and sizes. You would often see Cellarettes placed in dining rooms. Men of considerable financial means had as many as three Cellarettes as a status symbol. The pair of Liquor Cabinets or Cellarettes were handcrafted from the finest mahogany and refinished in a traditional French polish. We believe that this pair of antique English Cellarettes...
Category
1860s English Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
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
Danish Oval Pedestal Cabinet in Oak and Walnut Burl, ca. 1850s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Oval Pedestal Cabinet in Oak and Walnut Burl, ca. 1850s.
Antique Empire pillar chest from Northern Europe in oak with curved door in burlwood. Co...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Burl
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Buffet/Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and marble buffet/cabinet. The buffet is raised on two half round front and two back block supports below the straight apro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
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
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
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Henredon Maple Burl
Henredon Scene 3
Henredon Tortoiseshell
Henry Picard French Antique
Herman Miller Hanger
Heywood Wakefield Tambour
Honore Dufin
Hoosier Oak Cabinet
Hu Danish Furniture
Huanghuali Cabinet
Hydria Pair
Jacobean Curio
Jasper Painted Glass Front Cabinet
John Kalpe
Jules Piret
Kent Coffey China Cabinet
Kevin Irvin
Kimbel And Cabus Furniture