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: USA
Style: Empire
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.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
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...
Category
1780s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass, 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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 ...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, 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...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 ...
Category
1830s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Opaline Glass, Mahogany
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
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
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 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 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 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
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
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
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire mahogany semainier featuring artful neoclassical hardware. Hand-crafted in France circa 1810, this semainier is fitted with seven drawers to provide a dr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer under the marble top. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Period Commode w/Black Marble Top, Revival Accents, & Paw Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period wooden commode, with marble top and revival accents, from the early 19th century. This antique commode from France features a rectangular-shaped black marble t...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or den with this elegant antique chest of drawers. Crafted in France, circa 1930, the traditional commode sits on carved columnar supports over a straight bott...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Rosewood Empire Chest of Drawers with Vanity Mirror
By Biedermeier
Located in Chicago, IL
52” x 25” x 35”H (without wheels); mirror adds 35”H
A captivating representation of early Biedermeier design, influenced by the Empire era. This remarkable Biedermeier dresser exhib...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Rosewood
Antique French Empire Style Marble-Top Mahogany Commode
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet.
Dimensions...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Ebonized Mahogany Commode
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Empire-Style Parcel Ebonized Mahogany Commode, marble top, three graduated drawers, tall block feet. Elegant French commode with ebonized detailing at curved pilasters...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Empire Painted Commode with Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 19th century French Empire painted commode with black Belgian marble top. Nice patina and loads of storage. A great piece!
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
19th Century French Empire Provincial Ash Commode with Black Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century French Empire Provincial Ash Commode with Black Marble Top
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Ash
French Petite Empire Mahogany Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Four drawers and neoclassical details compose this outstanding Empirical commode hand-crafted in France circa 1810. This case piece is topped with an interesting piece of black, gray and white fossil marble that, along with the body, has patinated wonderfully over the decades. Iconic of the Empire style, two pilaster columns flank the bank of drawers, each having decorative brass caryatid capitals and neoclassical bases. The top frieze drawer and the three that follow all have paired swan...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique Empire Style Burl Walnut Chest Of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style burl walnut chest of drawers, late 19th century. With an overhanging burl walnut two board top, an overhanging frieze drawer and 3 burl walnut drawers with bron...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style commode, or chest of drawers, made of solid and veneer of mahogany. Four dovetailed drawers: three with decorative cast brass pulls and escutcheons...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
19th C. French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Semainier Tall Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A classic French Empire style Semainier Tall Chest in mahogany and bronze ormolu with seven drawers framed with fluted columns and fine gilded escutcheon. The front face of each drawer is also surrounded by an ormolu frame. Chest shows wear from daily use. Age related cracks that have been filled.
The key shown is only for decorative purposes to open drawers...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th C Italian Empire Petite Commode in Fruitwood with 3 Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Petite Commode in Fruitwood with 3 Drawers, Ebonized Paw Feet, & Caryatid Detail
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century French Empire Antique Mahogany, Marble Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique French single chest of drawers made of hand crafted shellac polished Mahogany, veneered on Oakwood in good condition. The rectangular cupboard is composed with a grey-white marble top, the inside is consisting one shelf, enhanced by its original brass hardware and keys, standing on two wooden feet and two lion feet. The detailed carved cupboard represents the First French Empire time...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
French Empire Style Commode w/Figural Columns & Pink Marble
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an adorable petite commode with wonderful grained veneer and blackened flat columns on the sides which have a bronze woman's head on the top and bronze feet on the bottom. It...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Empire Revival Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Commode
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Revival "retour d'Egypte" four drawer commode, ca. 1910 or later, in the manner of Bernard Molitor (French, 1755-1833) with green breccia marble canted rectangular top...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
An Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Commode, Marble Top, French, ca. 1820
Located in Banner Elk, NC
An Empire Commode in figured mahogany with a Belgian black fossilized marble top above a frieze drawer and three uniform drawers flanked by two squared columns, each with ormolu moun...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Chestnut & Ormolu Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth decorated with a brass mount, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer dressed with a decorative center brass mount. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This beautiful French 19th century Empire commode is made of burl walnut veneer. The top is Saint-Anne marble and sits over a wide drawer hi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Burl
French Empire Commode with Beautiful Inlay & Bookmatched Veneer, Early 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode with beautiful inlay and book-match veneers, from the early 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped, book-match veneer top,...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
French Empire Artisan-Painted Commode, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode, with an artisan hand-painted finish, from the 19th century. This antique chest from France has a rectangular-shaped top, which is slightly recessed upon a lo...
Category
19th Century French Antique 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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