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
Returnable Items Only
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany & Gilt Metal Mounted Cabinet on Chest circa 1800
Located in Suffolk, GB
This antique French Empire mahogany and gilt metal mounted antique cabinet on chest has an upper tier with two doors fitted boasting attractive gilt metal mounts. The bottom chest ha...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
French Empire Commode
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive French Empire Mahogany Commode. Solid granite top over 4 drawers all with working locks and individual keys for each drawer. Round Mahogany veneer columns with Or...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Empire Period Commode
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite Antique Empire Period Painted Commode boasts a striking Greek Key design adorning its exterior, complemented by a luxurious Belgian Marble Top. Its allure is further e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Black Empire Chest of Drawers with 3 Drawers, around 1800
Located in Berlin, DE
Crafted around 1800, the Early 19th Century Black Empire Chest of Drawers with Three Drawers embodies the opulence and grandeur of the Empire style. Made with meticulous craftsmanshi...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine, Paint
French Empire Commode Chest of drawers wood and ormolu
By Decorating House France
Located in Valladolid, ES
Extraordinary chest of drawers in the Empire style, in the time of Napoleon I Bonaparte. Made of wood, the fronts are veneered with mahogany palm, one of the most exclusive, attract...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Feet.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Paw Feet. Ca. 1860. Bleached walnut with ebonized trim and black marble top.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Superb Circassian Walnut Bronze French Empire 1780s Era Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, absolutely breathtaking Circassian Walnut with incredible contrasts of blacks and browns that are remiscient of rosewood. The piece features bronze figural carya...
Category
1780s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
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...
Category
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...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Fruitwood
Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm
Materials: walnut wood and marble
Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany Veneer, 19th century Napoleon III RESTAURED
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire chest of drawers in mahogany veneer, 19th century
Three drawers plus one under the gray marble top, columns on the uprights with gilt bronze capitals,
cm 129x61,5x89
condic...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
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
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century French Louis XVI neoclassical mahogany semainier or tall chest. Hand crafted from mahogany, this design was fitted with seven drawers to provide a drawer for every day o...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Sideboard, Chiffoniere with special Central Locking System
Located in Greven, DE
Semaniere with interesting locking technology
Belgium
Walnut, oak
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 142 x 127 x 51 cm
Description:
Small antique cabinet with drawers behin...
Category
1820s Belgian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
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
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
Late Empire Chatol Made In Elm Wood From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire chatol is a fine representation of furniture style from the 1840s. Made of elm wood and adorned with intarsia details, it exudes both noble craftsmanship and histori...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Elm
French Empire Fruitwood Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire fruitwood four-drawer commode from the early 19th century with ebonized columns, gilt Corinthian capitals and bronze hardware. This exquisite French Empire style frui...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
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
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
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Marble
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 Empire French Semainier Commode
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Semainier,
Mahogany,
France, 1825-1830
,,The Empire style is an early-nineteenth-century design movement in architecture, furniture, other de...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Danish Oak Chest of Drawers, ca. 1800.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Danish Oak Chest of Drawers, ca. 1800.
Amazing Empire oak dresser made by Danish master carpenter 1790-1810. Solid oak body and drawer fronts. Ebonized trim and concealed top...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire Period commode from Normandy made of solid cherry wood. Three dovetailed drawers with brass knobs and one hidden top drawer. Large brass mounted turned c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire 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
Cassettiera o comò italiano di antiquariato in legno con fregi in bronzo, 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Cassettiera di antiquariato in legno con cassettoni decorati con fregi in bronzo.
Risalente al periodo Impero, 1800 ca.
Buone condizioni.
Misure in cm 123x59x90h
Bellissima e prezios...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
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 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
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
19th Century Empire French Chest of Drawers with marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Chest od Drawers with white marble on top,
France, Ca. 1830
Spectacular Commode with original white marble on top and original empire legs. Front of d...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
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
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
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 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
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
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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