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.
Style: Empire
Color: Brown
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
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
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. Column design with wide top and...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Oak, 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
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
Pair of French Empire Bookcases
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
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
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
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
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
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 Italian Empire Mahogany Commode Two Doors Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
Striking mahogany 19th century Italian commode from the Empire period, circa 1815-1820. The straight, timeless shape combined with unique mahogany veneer makes this early 19th centur...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Metal, Iron
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
Danish Late Empire 'Biedermeier' Flamed Birch Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
19th century Danish late Empire (Biedermeier) pedestal cabinet. Veneered with flamed birch.
Curved door. Oval top with a drawer underneath. One-drawer at the bottom.
Denmark, circa...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Empire openable walnut veneered column
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant circular column on plinth base entirely veneered in walnut, top in yellow Siena marble with profiles in green Prato marble.
It acts as a support for an object and as a contai...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Siena Marble
Antique Empire Painted Buffet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style painted buffet / cabinet, 19th century. The paint is later and 20th century. With a faux marble molded overhanging top over two cup...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
C19th Pine Two Door French Cabinet/Bookcase with Glazed Astragal Detail
Located in London, GB
Handsome two door pine cupboard/ cabinet.
This is a lovely understated and useful cabinet which looks great in the flesh.
In one piece, it has a shaped cornice, glazing to the top ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Pine
Empire Showcase, France 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
French Empire display cases made of oak with slightly tapered legs.
Slanted glass lid surrounded by polished iron frame with rivets. In the middle...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Iron
Chiffonier of Mahogany and with Carvings of the Style Late Empire from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Exquisite Late Empire Style Mahogany Chiffonier from the 1840s: a stunning testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the era.
This beautiful piece is crafted from rich mahogany, a wood highly favored during the late Empire period, renowned for its durability and luxurious appearance. The intricate carvings adorning this chiffonier showcase the opulence and attention to detail characteristic of the style.
The design's grandeur reflects the late Empire aesthetic, with its bold lines, elaborate carvings, and ornate embellishments. The piece's historical significance and timeless allure make it a focal point in any room, evoking the grandeur of the 19th-century era.
Perfect for collectors of period furniture or those passionate about historical pieces, this late Empire chiffonier...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
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
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 19th Century Empire Style Burl Walnut, Ormolu and Glass Cabinet/Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl walnut, ormolu and glass cabinet/vitrine. The vitrine is raised by fine bun feet below the straight support decorated ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
19th Century Austrian Display Cabinet, Made Out of Ebonized Pearwood
Located in Horomerice, CZ
19th century Empire display cabinet from Austria
Completely restored, surface made by shellac polish.
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Wood
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Polychrome and Fossilized Marble Cabine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany, polychrome and fossilized marble cabinet. The four door, three drawer cabinet is raised by fine block feet bel...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble
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
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
Large Empire Bureau of Hand Polished Mahogany with Inlaid Wood, 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 19th Century Empire Period Flamed Mahogany, Patinated and Ormolu Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome French 19th century Empire period flamed mahogany, patinated and ormolu two-door cabinet. The cabinet is raised by richly carved black patinated paw feet with g...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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 19th Century Empire St. Burl Elm, Ebony, Tulipwood, and Ormolu Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl elm, ebony, tulipwood, and ormolu cabinet. The large scale three door cabinet is raised by a straight base with an ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
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
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
19th Century Empire Mahogany Commode with Gilt Caryatids, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Striking mahogany commode from the Empire period in Germany, circa 1815-1820. The straight, timeless shape combined with unique mirror matched mahogany veneer makes this early 19th c...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Interesting Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
An interesting late 19th century gilt bronze mounted Empire style cabinet
The Vert marble top above two large doors mounted with angels, the to...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Mahogany Cabinet with Door, 1850s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern empire style mahogany cabinet with door, 1850s
Empire style mahogany cabinet with winged columns, drawer and hinged door.
Perfect condition, completely...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Maslow Freen French Empire Style Breakfront Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maslow Freen French Empire style breakfront bookcase China cabinet with brass grill. Item includes 2 part construction, 8 swing doors, working lock and key, 1 dovetailed drawer, 15 a...
Category
20th Century American Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood
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 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
Antique 19th Century Dutch Solid Oak Empire or Louis Seize Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful Empire style or Louis seize cabinet that was made in the Netherlands, circa 1820s.
This high quality piece is completely made in the finest European oak. There are three stepped drawers in the lower section. The drawers are fitted with authentic Dutch cast brass drawer pulls and key plates. All drawers are equipped with a working lock and key. The upper part of the cabinet has two doors with raised panels, chamfered corners and original cast brass key plate with working lock and key. The interior of the upper cabinet houses three drawers below, all with original brass drawer pulls. Above a fixed shelf with two cutlery drawers underneath. Above the mid shelf is a half shelf...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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, Bronze, Ormolu
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
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 Cuban Mahogany "Somno" Side Table, circa 1805
Located in London, GB
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
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 Style Mahogany Bookcase
Located in New York, 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
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 1820 Italy Column Pillar Pedestal Painted Wood Storage Cabinet
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant and unusual Italien painted beech wood cabinet has retained it's original painted decoration.
This extravagant piece of furniture shows all the characteristics of late ...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Beech
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
19th Century Bronze Mounted French Empire Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
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
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
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
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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