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.
1
195
3
to
23
126
70
198
196
196
1,907
753
586
566
563
502
363
349
267
220
198
166
159
130
50
48
22
14
7
164
24
3
10
7
3
3
1
1
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
193
93
88
76
70
176
100
23
22
18
2
2
2
1
1
Style: Empire
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 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
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...
Category
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
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
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 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
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
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
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
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
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
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
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
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
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
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
Petite French Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful Empire mahogany commode was created in 19th century France. Topped with a removable piece of black fossil granite with rounded front corners. The apron houses a hidden...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Granite, Metal, Brass
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
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...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Rosewood
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
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
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
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
French Empire 19th Century Mahogany Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous French mahogany commode from 19th century France, circa 1840’s. The stunning gray and white marble top with rounded front corners is in good antique condition with few signs of wear. The apron houses a hidden drawer, free of hardware. Making up the body of the piece, three larger drawers have more recently been fixed with a pair of laurel wreath cast...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Stone, Marble, Metal
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...
Category
20th Century British Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table
Empire style dressing table in burl walnut with 2 drawers. Venetian glass pulls. The flap reveals a large origina...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
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
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
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
1980s French Empire Style Marble Top Chest
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1980s French Empire style marble top chest with bronze mounts.
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
French Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Chest of drawers or “commode” made of flamed mahogany in the French Empire style. This piece has ebonized columns and is finished in a lustrous French polish. There are four dovetail...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Period Commode
Located in San Antonio, TX
A beautiful French Empire Period Commode. This commode is made with mahogany wood and was professionally sanded, bleached, and painted in ...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
Early 20th C Ebonised Mahogany Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 Empire style mahogany chest of four drawers has a new ebonised finish and black marble top. Decorative columns on the front sides have brass trim and...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style 1870s Mahogany Three-Drawer Commode with White Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style mahogany commode from the late 19th century, with white marble top, three drawers and gilt accents. Created in France during the third quarter of the 19th centu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
Majestic 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found in the South of France, this exquisite burled walnut commode from the early 19th century features a dark grey marble top over four drawers. The lower three drawers are recessed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Commode or Dresser with Marble Top & Bronze Lion Head Pulls
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite French Empire style commode or dresser offering three drawers. The commode or dresser is painted in antiqued beige tone and features lion head bronze pulls. The dresser or commode is raised by finely carved tole metal bottom showing scrolls and a large shell design in the middle. The piece is study and is finely carved while having a marble top in black , gray adding style and elegance to this timeless dresser.
The French Empire style dresser...
Category
20th Century Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Semainier Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic early French Empire semainier in Mahogany, each of the seven drawers (intended to be used one for each day of the week), has ebony inlay aro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Empire Style Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Empire style chest of drawers, unbranded. Solid mahogany with classic Empire styling, with curved outward sides and curved back front feet. Features four drawers of doveta...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
French Empire Brass Mounted, Light Walnut, & Ebonized Secretary, 1stq 19th Cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top above a conforming case housing three drawers, one faux drawer, and a fall front desk with a leather writing surface and interior shelving and secret drawers...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Russian Empire Commode Secretary
Located in Newport Beach, CA
An exceptional Russian Empire fruitwood and ebonized 4 drawer chest/secretary. The top drawer conceals the drop-down desk featuring 6 drawers and a lapis...
Category
1850s European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Commode with Marble Top and Column Shaped Posts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode from the 19th century, with white marble top, four drawers, butterfly veneer, bronze mounts and column-shaped posts. Created in France during the 19th century, this Empire commode features a rectangular white marble top sitting above a frieze drawer concealed in the apron. Three additional drawers, adorned with butterfly veneer and fitted with shell hardware...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire style six-drawer highboy dresser chest
By Baker Furniture
USA, circa 1960s
Gorgeous book-matched cherry wood, with original brass hardware.
M...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Empire Style Walnut Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome mid-century Italian Empire Style walnut chest. Featuring a gorgeous finish, lovely brass hardware and ebonized details. Makes an elegant statement!.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Empire Commode Marble
Post Modern Drawers
Small French Corner Cabinets
Antique French Bombe Commode
Gustavian Style Chest
Hand Painted Chest Swedish
Antique French Louis Xvi Commode
Mid Century Modern Tall Chest Of Drawers
White Antique Corner Cabinet
Antique White Corner Cabinet
French Inspired Chests
Large Bronze Pull
Corner Cabinet Antique White
Walnut Pair Chest Midcentury
French Antique Louis Xvi Chest Of Drawers
Swedish Modern Chest
Small Drawer Mahogany Chest
Pair French Commodes Marble