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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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Empire
Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Tall French Empire-style commode. The pine wood is painted in a faux-bois trompe l'oeil imitating mahogany. Wood columns on either side are painted a darker color. The chest is in ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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

Pair of Empire Coffers Lucca First Quarter Nineteenth Century
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of walnut-paneled Empire chests of drawers, Lucca first quarter 19th century. Contoured Green Alps marble tops, ebonized under-top band, three drawers on the front, hermetic upr...
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Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

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

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

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

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

Materials

Mahogany

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

Materials

Mahogany

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...
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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

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

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...
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1840s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

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

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...
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1840s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

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

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Empire Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
XIX Century Empire Commode 19th CENTURY EMPIRE CHEST. LARGE FRENCH EMPIRE CHEST IN MAHOGANY AND DECORATED WITH GOLDEN BRONZE.130X59X89 CM
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

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

Materials

Walnut

EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE BUREAU
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant chest of drawers from the Empire period in mahogany feather with lost wax cast and gilded bronze friezes. The chest of drawers has three large drawers and a smaller one below...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Danish Empire Elm Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish early 19th century empire bowfront chest of drawers veneered in elm wood with a beautiful grain pattern. Four drawers, the top drawer with a geometrical ebonized inlaid in the...
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Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Empire Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A Mahogany and gilt bronze mounts chest of drawers, the top drawer revealing a secretaire. Sweden, early 19th Century 93 cm high by 107.5 cm wide ...
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Chest of Drawers 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Buxton, GB
Fabulous Empire Chest of Drawers French Origin 19th Century Blonde Walnut Bronze Details 4 Drawers Gilt Decorative Handles Some Chips to the Veneer Carrara Marble Top (V...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Petit Danish Late Empire Antique Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small 19th century Danish Late Empire chest of drawers in flamed birch. French polished. The façade showcases an arrangement of four drawers (a smaller drawer over 3 larger drawers)...
Category

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

Materials

Beech

Early 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in London, GB
France, c. 1820 An early 19th century Empire mahogany commode with finely chased ormolu mounts, retaining the original marble top. Height 88.50cm Width 130.00cm Depth 57.00cm
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian-Lombardy Empire Walnut Golden Bronzes Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
Three drawers, golden bronze handles, walnut wood, elegant shapes and line make this chest of drawers an interesting piece able to be used in different kind of interior decoration pr...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Empire Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top, France Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire chest of drawers veneered in mahogany, with four drawers and white marble top. The corpus is flanked by columns with fire-gilded bases and capitals, which merge into th...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1900
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany chest of drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1900. Currently under renovation. Wood: mahogany dimensions height 81 cm width 69 cm depth 46 cm.
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Creamware, Walnut

Beautiful Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Crawley, GB
A 20th century Empire style chest of drawers with figural pilasters and three drawers made in different size. Don't hesitate to contac...
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20th Century British Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Commode Empire France Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Commode Empire France Napoleon III 19th century Wood and marble Perfect condition - Original Measures: 88cm x 63cm x 130cm Never restored.
Category

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

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian Empire Period Walnut Night Stand
Located in Prato, IT
Veneered in walnut, three drawers with black columns with caryatid head and pure gold base. Four ebonized turned legs. Coeval Carrara marble top. Very good condition.
Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of Italian 19th Century Rosewood Commodes
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th Century Italian commodes with wonderful rosewood figuring. These chests consist of three recessed drawers and a flush drawer above. The chests have two columns on eithe...
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19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Rosewood

Small Late Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small and elegant late empire chest of four drawers. Original black painted pine wood adorned with decorations in golden hues. The sides with decorations in the form of ears of corn...
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Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Empire Chest of Drawers Cherry Wood with Black Colones and Black Marble Top
Located in Weiningen, CH
EMPIRE chest of drawers cherry wood with black colones and black marble top
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Antique half-round Empire chest of drawers, mahogany, around 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique half-round Empire chest of drawers, mahogany, around 1810 Semi-circular body, one door in the middle flanked by full columns and one drawer each above and below. An extremel...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique 19th-century german empire oak and pine inlaid three drawer commode
Located in Casteren, NL
This beautiful commode was made in Germany in the late 19th century. The commode is made from European summer oak and solid pine and features three drawers. The drawers were enriched...
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Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Spanish Regency / Isabelina Mallorquín Commode, Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
Often referred to as "Mallorquín" or "Catalana" style, this type of commode evolved in the early to mid 19th century in the Spanish province of Catalonia, taking design influences from various European...
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19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Fine French Mahogany Empire Commode
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A french marbled top and bronze mounted mahogany commode. The original grey marble top over the three drawers with flame veneers and lion mask handles. Th...
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Early 19th Century Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century, Empire Walnut Wood 2-Drawer Chest
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Chest of drawers with two drawers on pointed feet. Beautiful walnut veneer with ribbon inlays on pine body. The furniture has a very clear beautiful design without much ornamentation...
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Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Iron

French Empire Style Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
French commode chest of drawers early 19th century Empire style Four large drawers, on the first one an elegant brass swan acts as a drawer knob. On the locks bouquets of flowers a...
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1820s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Mahogany Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Impressive 19th century Flame mahogany commode. This piece stands well, the three large drawers are decorated with flame mahogany with its original quality brass handles and ivory e...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

French 19th Century Inlaid Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French 19th century Marquetry two-drawer commode with a wonderful marble top. Featuring wonderful inlaid decoration, this commode conveys typical Empire styles. A great storage pi...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique French Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style chest of drawers French, 19th century Measures: Height 86cm, width 127cm, depth 57cm This beautiful ches...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Chests of Drawers, Berlin, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire chest of drawers with two drawers and quarter columns made of marble. The body is veneered in mahogany, the fittings are made of brass.
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

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

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Warm Brown Curved Commode in Solid Elm
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant four-drawer commode was made in the Netherlands circa 1860. It was made in solid elm with a pine interior. The commode has a convex-concave curved front. The piece has a two-plank top with a bullnose edge. Below four drawers are situated. Each drawer is equipped with two brass drawer pulls, a keyplate, and a lock. The brass pulls and keyplate is typical Dutch azure cut...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

21st Century Empire Dressing Table with Columns by Modenese Gastone White Finish
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Luxurious empire-style dresser by Modenese Luxury Interiors, Italian furniture producer. Made of solid wood with white laquered finish, plus empire-style wood carved columns, silver ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

21st Century Empire-Style Vanity Unit with Columns by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Luxurious empire-style vanity unit from Modenese Luxury Interiors, Italian furniture producer. Made of solid wood with white laquered finish, plus empire-style wood carved columns, s...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Empire Commode, Walnut Veneered with Caryatids, Austria, Vienna circa 1810/15
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very fine original Empire commode or chest of three drawers, walnut veneered with Caryatid pilaster columns, from Austria/Vienna about 1810-15. Lovely book-matched Walnut Veneer on softwood. Excellent french polished surface. Exceptional carved caryatid pilasters depicting of temple guards...
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1810s Austrian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf, Iron

19th Century French Empire Chest of Marble Topped Drawers Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French Empire, circa 1860 solid mahogany chest of drawers with marble top and gold leaf painted lion hairy paw feet A very good lo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf

20th Century Empire Style Caryatide Tulip Veneer Commode
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Empire style Caryatide tulip veneer commode tulip veneer on solid pinewood. Architecturally structured front. (D-Sam-66).  
Category

20th Century Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Tulipwood, Wood

Italian Empire Commode in Walnut with Black Columns Mirror White Carrara Marble
Located in Prato, IT
Italia, 1810 Walnut veneer Top in white Carrara marble Columns in ebonized wood Bases, capitals and paw carvings gilded in pure gold Good conditions Chest of drawers W126 x D56...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Carrara Marble

19th Century Empire Dutch Mahogany Secretaire Bureau Inlay 1800
Located in Roma, RM
Dutch mobile for the American market, Empire period, we are faced with the great Dutch market that adapted its furniture for every nation that requested it, styling in the best way f...
Category

Early 1800s Dutch Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

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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