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Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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
Pair of Italian 19th Century Empire St. Cherrywood Commodes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of Italian 19th century Empire st. Cherrywood, ebonized Fruitwood and ormolu commodes. Each three drawer chest is raised by elegant square tapered legs below remarkab...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu

Russian Empire Dressing Table with Mahogany Carvings and Gilt Bronzes
By Andrey Voronikhin
Located in Vienna, AT
The desk body is made of pine and oak with a Karelian birch veneer and the mirrored base is supported by four curved feet, embellished by an entwined patinated bronze snake with a gilt head and tail. The pad feet are supported by ebonized mahogany floor plates. The middle portion consists of five small drawers and a large desk drawer and within a manufactured mahogany interior with seven compartments and eight secret compartments as well as two movable elements, one of which is covered with velvet. The lower drawers have gilt gooseneck fittings. The mirror attachment includes a mechanism for taking the mirror plate vertically out and up to 180 degrees, which can, in turn, be fixed in almost any position. This mirror is flanked by two carved mahogany phoenixes with gilt heads and feet, and on the reverse side there are two more secret compartments in the lower area of the right as well as the left foot of the base. The Poudreuse Secretary is an exceptional example of Russian furniture of the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The depiction and symbolic arrangement of the remarkable bronze snakes and the carved phoenix is typical of the style of the important Russian architect Andrey Voronikhin (1759-1814). As well, this Poudreuse Secretary Desk has as well a similar structure to a dressing table made by the celebrated cabinetmaker (ebéniste) Heinrich Gambs...
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Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Inlaid Top Mahogany Wood Silver / Flatware Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-20th Century Inlaid top mahogany wood Empire style silver chest / flatware. The Silver chest features a pull top opening cover , a pull down front surface...
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Mid-20th Century Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional drawers. This elegant French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century exudes c...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Feet.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Paw Feet. Ca. 1860. Bleached walnut with ebonized trim and black marble top.
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1860s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Superb Circassian Walnut Bronze French Empire 1780s Era Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, absolutely breathtaking Circassian Walnut with incredible contrasts of blacks and browns that are remiscient of rosewood. The piece features bronze figural carya...
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1780s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This wonderful Empire French Commode is made of walnut with a black marble and full columns.
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Narrow chest of drawers, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Narrow chest of drawers on straight legs with three drawers and a gray stone top. The key plates are in the form of flower bouquets in gilt bronze. The chest of drawers is mahogany v...
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Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Chest Commode
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Commode Chest of Drawers Gorgeous French Empire style commode/chest of drawers featuring intricate inlaid marquetry with a finely detaile...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers circa 1850. Good quality Swedish empire commode made in birch and pine, Rectangular top with rounded corners and moulded edge.  Belo...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Noir Empire Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A timeless marvel. Crafted from wood with a Powder Black and Gold Finish, this 48"w x 21"d x 39"h piece exudes traditional charm. Its classic silhouette and the opulent blend of hues...
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21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Mahogany Empire Chest Of Drawers, Stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée, Paris c. 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Empire chest of drawers stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée Paris Mahogany around 1800 Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 131 x 63 cm Description: Four carved, bronze-patinated paw feet supp...
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1790s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style Commode Late 19th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French Empire style chest of drawers late 19th century. The wood is light cherry. Overall, the structure of the furniture is straight and absolu te. The surfaces are flat and inters...
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1810s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood

Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm Materials: walnut wood and marble Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers circa 1850. Stunning mid 19th century 4 drawer commode from Denmark. Rectangular top with sloped moulded edge.  Below the to...
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1850s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Danish Empire Tall Chest of Drawers in Book-Matched Flame Mahogany Veneer
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome late Empire or early Biedermeier tall chest on chest in 2 sections with four drawers and double serpentine doors beneath a pedestal top; with beautiful book-matched flame ...
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1820s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany Veneer, 19th century Napoleon III RESTAURED
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire chest of drawers in mahogany veneer, 19th century Three drawers plus one under the gray marble top, columns on the uprights with gilt bronze capitals, cm 129x61,5x89 condic...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Small Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Charming Small Empire Commode is made of mahogany with a black marble top. It has bronze rings around the columns. Easy to place anywhere.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Empire 3 Drawers Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top, Early 19th Century Hand carved, hand painted and hand distressed in a muted Scandinavian red toned color. The clean lines and el...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Early 19th Century Commode Scriban
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Commode Scriban with a leather top inside, This Empire Period piece is very convenient as a storage for paper work.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Henkel Harris French Empire Louis Philippe Flame Mahogany Marble Top Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire of Louis Philippe style dresser or chest of drawers By Henkel Harris USA, 1990s Stunning book-matched flame mahogany, with beveled marble top, and ori...
Category

1990s American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire Flame Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with marble top and gilt bronze mounts, 19th century. With a black rectangular marble top over 4 flame mahogany drawers flanked by ...
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19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century French Louis XVI neoclassical mahogany semainier or tall chest. Hand crafted from mahogany, this design was fitted with seven drawers to provide a drawer for every day o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Sideboard, Chiffoniere with special Central Locking System
Located in Greven, DE
Semaniere with interesting locking technology Belgium Walnut, oak early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 142 x 127 x 51 cm Description: Small antique cabinet with drawers behin...
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1820s Belgian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique Empire Flame Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze mounts and marble top, early 19th century. With a rectangular marble top, the top drawer with a central gilt bronze mo...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and tapered legs. Experience the grandeur of 19th-cen...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Petite Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French Empire commode made of mahogany, is topped with its original black fossil marble. Three easy-to-use drawers with brass lion head pulls are...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Late Empire Chatol Made In Elm Wood From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire chatol is a fine representation of furniture style from the 1840s. Made of elm wood and adorned with intarsia details, it exudes both noble craftsmanship and histori...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Fruitwood Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire fruitwood four-drawer commode from the early 19th century with ebonized columns, gilt Corinthian capitals and bronze hardware. This exquisite French Empire style frui...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Dutch Empire Style Tall Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Dutch Empire style chest made of mahogany and ebonized wood during the 1800’s. This mahogany case piece has six bookmatched drawer fronts each with two ring drawer pulls for e...
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19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Period Bleached Walnut Commode with Marble Top
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine 19th century French Empire period four-drawer commode handcrafted of walnut, circa 1810. Having a bleached finish, this handsome antique French chest of drawers features a boo...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Dutch 19th Century Oak Empire Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A classic Dutch Empire chest made of oak during the 1800’s. The top drawer protrudes forward over three drawers flaked with ebonized columns featuring brass capitals at the top and b...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Empire Jacob Desmalter et Cie mahogany two door commode with marble top
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
French Empire oak lined two door mahogany commode with brass mounts and marble top by Jacob Desmalter et Cie Interior reveals 3 linen slides “Tiroir à l’anglaise” Stamped to the t...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Fine Empire Four Drawer Chest In Flame Mahogany With Gris Marble Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine diminutive Empire Chest dating to the 1st half of the 19th Century in original condition. The Chest with book matched flame mahogany drawer fronts with great color, refined ro...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass

Mid 19th Century French Empire Walnut Chest
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A handsome French Empire commode. Beautiful color and patina
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique Napoleonic French Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers Grey Marble Circa 1810
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1810 French Empire (Napoleon) Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with a gray marble top; four drawers, three inset with lion head form pulls and shield ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Italian Empire Style 1890s Marble Top Four-Drawer Commode with Bronze Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Empire style walnut commode from circa 1890 with black marble top, four drawers, column shaped side supports and ornate bronze hardware. Step into the grandeur of late 19t...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French First Empire Period Chest of Drawers / Commode / Dresser, c. 1810
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Classic French Empire Chest made from rosewood veneer and featuring ebonized front columns, c. 1810. Iconic of the Empire style, two ebony black round columns flank the bank of dovet...
Category

1810s Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

Danish Late Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Very special late Empire chest of drawers with opaline glass inlay, 19th century, Denmark, 1830. Mahogany with Ivory colored glass inlay. Having four drawers with working locks, 1 ...
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1830s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Opaline Glass, Mahogany

Provincial Empire Marble Top Commode, France, Circa:1815
Located in Alexandria, VA
This handsome 3-drawer commode has an incomparable restrained beauty. While it has all the design elements of French Empire furniture, the application is more provincial than Parisia...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Solid Walnut Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful French 19th century, solid walnut semainier is the perfect way to add more organizational storage to your space without sacrificing style. The design of the semainier ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Veneer Elm Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1870. With small proportions, and built of elm, the traditional commode sits on round feet over a straight bottom p...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Empire French Semainier Commode
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Semainier, Mahogany, France, 1825-1830 ,,The Empire style is an early-nineteenth-century design movement in architecture, furniture, other de...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Danish Oak Chest of Drawers, ca. 1800.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Danish Oak Chest of Drawers, ca. 1800. Amazing Empire oak dresser made by Danish master carpenter 1790-1810. Solid oak body and drawer fronts. Ebonized trim and concealed top...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire Period commode from Normandy made of solid cherry wood. Three dovetailed drawers with brass knobs and one hidden top drawer. Large brass mounted turned c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive Empire mahogany commode hand crafted in 19th century France; four drawers and neoclassical details comprise this outstanding chest of drawers. This case piece has patinate...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Commode
Located in San Antonio, TX
Step into the grandeur of the 19th century with this gorgeous French Empire Period Commode, a masterpiece featuring impressive "ronce de noyer" walnut v...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Cassettiera o comò italiano di antiquariato in legno con fregi in bronzo, 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Cassettiera di antiquariato in legno con cassettoni decorati con fregi in bronzo. Risalente al periodo Impero, 1800 ca. Buone condizioni. Misure in cm 123x59x90h Bellissima e prezios...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire French Chest of Drawers with marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Chest od Drawers with white marble on top, France, Ca. 1830 Spectacular Commode with original white marble on top and original empire legs. Front of d...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Empire Mahogany & Gilt Metal Mounted Cabinet on Chest circa 1800
Located in Suffolk, GB
This antique French Empire mahogany and gilt metal mounted antique cabinet on chest has an upper tier with two doors fitted boasting attractive gilt metal mounts. The bottom chest ha...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire 19th Century Painted Wood Four-Drawer Commode with Gilt Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and bracket feet. Step into an era of refined eleganc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

French Empire Commode
Located in Austin, TX
1st Empire French Commode comprised of 4 drawers and original brass hardware. Key included as well. Beautiful relief work on the brass ormolu. All drawers are solid wood boxes with d...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Petite Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This wonderful Empire mahogany commode was hand crafted in 19th century France; four drawers and neoclassical details comprise this outstanding chest of drawers or commode. This case...
Category

1860s Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Walnut Bachelors Chest of Drawers with Brass Handles
Located in Pasadena, CA
Walnut Bachelors Chest of Drawers with Brass Handles. The top opens up to make double the width. This may be used as a desk area or a sort of vanity. Wonderful Aged wood. Clean and...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Empire commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Empire Furniture, Europa Antiques, Modenese Gastone, and Baker Furniture Company. 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 commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $800 and tops out at $95,000 while the average work can sell for $4,900.

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