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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
Period: 19th Century
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

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 beverag...
Category

1860s English Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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

Elegant Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant, architectural Empire pedestal cabinet in 2 parts, crafted in mahogany. Features a frieze with ormolu mounts of typical Empire period over a cupboard door that opens to revea...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

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

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

Late Empire Flamed 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

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

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 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

Empire Style Sideboard Cabinet 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
EMPIRE STYLE SIDEBOARD CABINET ELEGANT EMPIRE STYLE SIDEBOARD DECORATED WITH MARBLE AND GOLDEN BRONZE. MEASURES: 100X92X40 CM good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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

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

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 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

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...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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

Large Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet of Mahogany, 1840
Located in Lejre, DK
Large antique late Empire corner cabinet of mahogany and in great vintage condition from the 1840s.  
Category

1840s Danish 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, in Great Antique Condition
Located in Lejre, DK
Late Empire tall cabinet of dark polished mahogany, in great antique condition from 1840.     
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

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 three shelv...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Oak, Walnut

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

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

Large Empire Bureau of Hand Polished Mahogany with Inlaid Wood, 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
Large Empire bureau of hand polished mahogany with inlaid wood from the 1820s. The cabinet is in great antique condition.
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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 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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, almost certainly 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

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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