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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
Flame Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Commode with Rouge Griotte By Molitor
Located in Stamford, CT
A superbly crafted French Empire commode with Rouge Griotte marble top by Molitor. A pair of these commodes were acquired by King Jerome between 1809 and 1812 and listed in the i...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Late Empire French Walnut Chest of Drawers with Bronze Handles
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Frenc...
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

C1810 Petite French Empire Commode with Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Mounts
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
C1810 Petite French Empire Commode with Grey Marble Top Ormolu Mounts Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with any questions.
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

Mid-19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Marble-Top Commode
Located in Houston, TX
The rectangular gray and white marble top above a conforming case Having three recessed long drawers, flanked to either side by an ormolu- Mounted pilaster, raised on turreted fee...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

1820s French Empire Marble-Top Chest of Drawer With Paw Feet
Located in High Point, NC
This 1820s French Empire chest of drawers exemplifies refined Neoclassical elegance with its clean architectural lines and rich mahogany veneer. The piece features a striking white m...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

20th Century Wood with Marble Top Italian Empire Style Dresser, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian chest of drawers from the mid-20th century. Cantù production furniture carved and veneered in walnut, burl, beech, mahogany and fruitwood in Empire style. Commode with four l...
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1960s Italian Vintage Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

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

Small Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany with Marble Columns, Sweden, c. 1790
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A beautiful Empire commode in Cuban mahogany with marble columns flanking two drawers and resting on tapered square feet. Brass key plates and pulls were added in the late 1800s. Fre...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian Secretaire dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined Secretaire. Made of fine solid mahogany wood (accompani...
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19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

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

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

Late 18th Century Walnut Empire Chest of Drawers, South Germany
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant walnut chest of drawers from southern Germany dates from around 1790 and belongs to the late 18th century, showing the clear transition from the Louis XVI to the early E...
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Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

1830s French Empire Mahogany Chest with Four Drawers and Gilded Edges, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
1830s French Empire mahogany chest with four drawers and gilded edges Beautiful wooden root.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a remarkable Empire Fall Top Desk, hailing from France during the period of 1800-1810. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this magn...
Category

Early 1800s European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

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

Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Ormolu Commode Chest of Drawers 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality early 19th century antique French Empire mahogany marble top commode, with Neo-Classical ormolu mounts, circa 1810. The commode is of the finest quality, the top is ma...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire fruit wood chest of drawers with gilt bronze hardware and ebonized columns, 19th century. No keys.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Empire Chest of Drawers
Empire Chest of Drawers
$3,500 Sale Price
27% Off
Empire Chiffonier Ebonized, Danish, Approx. 1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late Empire black ebonized mahogany chest of drawers / tall boy, with raised semi-oval top. Seven drawers flanked by gilt quarter columns. Brass keyholes. Denmark, Copenhagen Appro...
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19th Century Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage French Empire Marquetry Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Commanding attention with its exquisite craftsmanship and timeless design, this vintage French Empire commode is a magnificent addition to any sophisticated interior. Constructed fro...
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Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

French Empire Chest of Drawers, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
French Empire Chest of Drawers, France, 1810 – A Timeless Antique Masterpiece This exquisite French Empire chest of drawers, crafted in ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century French tall chest of drawers with a black marble top, made from walnut. The case is lovely and has paneled sides and a single uppe...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Empire Cherrywood Chest of Drawers with Caryatids
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Chest of Drawers with Caryatids South Germany, 1815 Cherrywood Very elegant German Empire Chest, ca. 1815. This Chest of drawers rests on four splayed feet and exhibits lovel...
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1810s German Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Danish 19th Century Empire Mahogany Commode
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish Empire commode made in Regency style. Unique, probably made to order. Cuba mahogany with gorgeous color and grain and beautiful patina. Original fittings. 5 drawers. High-qua...
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Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Empire Chest of Drawers with Granite Top, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire chest of drawers in cherry with lateral pilasters with blackened caryatids on lion's paw feet. The black granite top complements the ebony carved details beautifully. The fitt...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Granite, Brass

19 Century French Empire Marble top Chest
Located in Nashville, TN
This handsome 19th-century French Empire commode was crafted from figured fruitwood and features finely detailed brass ormolu and escutcheons. There are three keys for the five worki...
Category

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

Materials

Fruitwood

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...
Category

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

Materials

Stone, Bronze

19th Century Walnut Empire Commode with Black Fossil Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century Walnut Empire commode with a black fossil top features a classic and elegant design. The sideboard is crafted from high-quality walnut material, giving it a rich an...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

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

19th Century French Empire Style Commode With Marble Top
Located in Houston, US
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Commode With Marble Top. Constructed with burled veneer, commode flanked with columns capped with brass decorations. Features ormolu mounts ...
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century French Empire Period Commode
Located in Austin, 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

19th Cent Ebony Empire Commode or Nightstand, Refinished, Bronze Mounted
Located in Manhasset, NY
19th Century, Hollywood Regecny Style Commode, Chest or Nightstand. Bronze Mounted Empire Commode or Nightstand, Refinished in a fine ebony finish to suite the Hollywood Regency Decor of any home. 19th century Empire commode or nightstand. This fine commodes...
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1860s Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

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

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

Chest of drawers, Louis Seize around 1790
Located in Münster, DE
Louis Seize chest of drawers, circa 1790 Walnut and plum veneered on a softwood body, band inlays, the edges inlaid all around with maple and ebony, three drawers, original fittings...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Nutwood

Vintage French Empire Marquetry Burl Wood Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent vintage French Empire marquetry burl wood chest is a true embodiment of classical grandeur and exceptional craftsmanship. The piece showcases stunning burl wood vene...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Giltwood, Burl

19th Century French Empire Chest of Marble Topped Drawers Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

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 Commode with Caryatids, Walnut Veneer, Austria, Vienna circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very fine, original Empire or early Biedermeier Commode with three drawers in walnut veneer with caryatids, from Austria, Vienna about 1815. Book-matched walnut veneered on softwood. Exceptional carved caryatid pilasters columns depicting temple guards...
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1810s Austrian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Gold Leaf, Iron

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

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

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

Empire Commode, Denmark 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Elegant Empire commode, Denmark 1810-20, mahogany veneer. In very good refinished condition, French polished. The commode will be shipped from Germany, shipping costs to Boston are i...
Category

1810s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Empire Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy in the early 1900s using walnut. The chest has typical empire lines, with an overhanging top drawer and column...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Walnut Commode with Ebonized Columns, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire walnut commode presents the clean architectural lines and restrained ornamentation associated with the early 19th century. Its façade is arranged in the classic Em...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Mahogany Chest of Drawers with a Dark Gray Stone Top
Located in Dallas, TX
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany commode with bronze mounts and a dark gray stone top. The chest of drawers is very handsome and functional and is in very good condition...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Stone, Bronze

19th Century Marble-Top French Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Toronto, CA
This 19th century French walnut side table with a lovely patina developed with age. The off white marble top is framed on three side with a brass gallery. The table has one drawer an...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

A 19th Century French Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1840 A fine early 19th century flame mahogany cabinet with original ormolu mounts and handles, the original Saint Laurent Grey m...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

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

Spanish Regency / Mallorquín Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Floral Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
Often referred to as "Mallorquín" or "Catalana" style, this type of commode or dresser 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

Empire Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire burl walnut chest of drawers with marble top, circa 1820. With a rectangular marble top, a small burl walnut top drawer with dolphin escutcheon (no lock), 3 lower burl walnut ...
Category

1820s European Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th century Swedish serpentine mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish serpentine mahogany chest of drawers circa 1880. Fine quality elegant Swedish 19th century commode fitted with 4 graduating drawers which open on the key, whic...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

A Pair of French Empire-Style Demilune Cabinets
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Empire-style demilune cabinets. The white marble tops supported by rosewood bases with two cabinet doors. The bases accented with gilt classical figure heads and sta...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique Tall 5 Drawer Scottish Mahogany Chest
Located in Oakwood, GA
Antique Tall 5 Drawer Scottish Chest, Mahogany, 69"H Beautiful monumental chest Solid Mahogany Flaming Mahogany front Removable crown 5 Dovetailed drawers Solid wood knobs Plinth bas...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Empire Perspective Marquetry Commode, Circle of Giuseppe Maffezzoli
By Giovanni Battista Maffezzoli
Located in Troy, NY
The Commode of Rare Classical Neoclassical Form, with a beautiful warm color is a wonderful example of perspective marquetry, in the tradition of Giuseppe Maggiolini and his pupil Giovanni Maffezzoli; most likely made by Tommaso Pezzoni (who learned his trade in the workshop of Maffezzoli) in the early 19th century. Inlaid top with a center-roundel showing a youth reclining on a chaise in front of a classical temple, above four drawers, the fronts forming an architectural, perspective scene showing buildings and ruins, fountains, sculptures and a boy resting on a toppled column accompanied by a playing dog, flanked by caryatids topped with gilt bronze classical heads and ending in gilt bronze feet. The sides featuring medallions with urns. Intricate inlaid borders framing each scene. Square inlaid block feet. Constructed of solid walnut and inlaid with various exotic woods (including olive wood, boxwood, amaranth, palm wood). For a very similar commode see: Enrico Colle, "Italian Empire Furniture...
Category

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

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Antique Empire Chest of Drawers in Cuban Mahogany with Interior Writing Surface
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Empire chest or commode with bowed front offering four drawers on tapered feet in the finest book-matched Cuban (West Indies) mahogany. Satinwood inlays depicting two sph...
Category

1810s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Mid 19th Century French Empire Commode With Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique French Empire three-drawer mahogany commode, circa 1840, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and balanced proportions characteristic of the Empire period. The c...
Category

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

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Directoire 3 Drawer Commode
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Early 19th Century Directoire 3 Drawer Commode. Piece is functional, structurally sound, handsome, and in good condition. See detailed pics and message with any questions or for mor...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

American Empire Cherry Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
American empire cherry wood chest of drawers, circa 1830. With a back splash with circular ends, a large top drawer, 3 graduated lower drawers all drawers with shield shaped escutche...
Category

1830s North American Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

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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