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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Empire
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
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
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
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
Mahogany Wood Beveled Glass Mirrored Back Cabinet / Vitrine By R.J.Horner
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your home with this 19th Century Horner & Co Hand-Carved Mahogany Wood China Cabinet, an exceptional piece of furniture designed with the utmost attention to detail and craft...
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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
20th Century Empire Style Small Curio Display Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful mahogany wood 1970s small Curio cabinet glass shelves. The curio cabinet features three adjustable glass shelving resting on four tapere...
Category
1970s Vintage Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
19th Century French Empire Walnut Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
A large French Empire bookcase, or buffet a deux corps in walnut with bronze mounts and glass doors, dating from the early 19th century.
This handsome piece has a nice old patina a...
Category
Early 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
French Empire Style Ambonya Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (circa 1860) amboyna wood & gilt bronze mounted cabinet with a Pair of side doors securing and centering 6 Pair of drawers under a dark green marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
19th Century Danish Mahogany Empire Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, 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
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
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
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
French Empire Mahogany Bibliothéque Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
French Empire flame mahogany 2 door bibliothèque cabinet with with wire mesh and tapered square column sides having gilt bronze trim with classical heads.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Cabinets
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
Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase Bibliotheque, French, Late 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional French mahogany bookcase - bibliotheque with finely cast gilt bronze mounts and interior fitted with 4 shelves. Late 19th century with original key. Very Fine top qual...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This two-door French Empire bibliotheque is framed on either side by columns that go all the way to the feet. The top and bottom of the columns are...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Vintage French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Marble Credenza Cabinet
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Vintage French Empire 19th century style wonderful mahogany and fabulous black seashell marble top credenza cabinet, in the manner of Georg...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Gentleman's Cabinet / Chest with Soldier Motifs 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Impressive French Empire Egyptian Revival Gentleman's Cabinet / Chest with carved Caryatides Soldier Motifs on Paw Feet was made in the early 19...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Granite
Early 19th Century Medicine Safe Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted metal cabinet with Goddess of medicine in relief. Secret secondary key-mechanism hiding extra keyhole.
NB:
Complimentary delivery wit...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Metal
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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