Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
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.
to
62
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
303
243
533
17
1
12,026
4,709
2,776
2,006
1,639
1,626
1,419
1,351
859
853
768
551
524
478
459
351
337
177
20
428
85
18
30
18
21
6
1
1
1
2
3
1
9
2
536
251
239
133
127
467
277
59
57
35
551
536
537
12
8
4
4
3
Style: Empire
Italian Empire Commode in Walnut with Black Columns Mirror White Carrara Marble
Located in Prato, IT
Italia, 1810
Walnut veneer
Top in white Carrara marble
Columns in ebonized wood
Bases, capitals and paw carvings gilded in pure gold
Good conditions
Chest of drawers W126 x D56...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Carrara Marble
French 19th Century Empire Style Neoclassical Burl Walnut Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very attractive French 19th century Empire st. Neo-classical burl walnut three door and three drawer buffet. The buffet is raised by square tapered legs with an ebony filet and orm...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Empire Style Secretary with Brass and Marble Top mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany veneer on solid conifers. High-right corpus on chased bronze claw feet. Architecturally articulated front with library dummy and brass rim sockets. On both sides slightly co...
Category
20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Restored Empire Chest of Drawers, Walnut, Maple, Spruce, Austria, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This exquisite chest of drawers, originating from Austria in the early 19th century, is a perfect example of the Empire style. Made of solid spruce and walnut veneer, it impresses wi...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Maple, Walnut, Spruce
Pair of Empire Étagères
Located in New York, NY
Rouge Royal marble tops with two toned mahogany (the mahogany originally bleached to create this contrast) and brass mouldings.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Mobiletti impero francesi in Mogano con fregi in bronzo e piano in un bel marmo
Located in Cesena, FC
Coppia di mobiletti impero (1850 circa).
Mobiletti impero francesi, in Mogano con fregi in bronzo, con colonna intera e piano in un bel marmo grigio, sportelli con ripiani interni.
...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Bookcase Empire Mahogany Veneer Sessile Oak France Early 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
French Empire bookcase, supported by feet, the front ones vase shaped. There are two panelled doors on the front, surmounted by the same amount of drawers in the under the top band, ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
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...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Nutwood
Cabinet, Empire around 1800, solid mahogany, 2-door
Located in Münster, DE
Cabinet, Empire around 1800, solid mahogany, 2-door, can be dismantled, original fittings, head and base with surrounding dentil frieze, lisettes with carved capitals, shellac wax po...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Original Antique Empire Library / Shelve / Vitrine, circa 1860-1880 Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Biblithek, circa 1860s-1880s from an Empire room
Mahogany with beautiful empire figures, cast bronze.
Very rare to get today.
3 glass doors, interior with glass shelves, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Walnut and Gray Marble Empire Console, circa 1880
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Walnut and gray marble Empire console, circa 1880. Carved legs with leaf curved design on front legs and reeded legs in back.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Fornasetti Decorated Antique Italian Writing Desk
By Fornasetti
Located in Hudson, NY
The exquisite antique table desk, shown here, represents the first collaboration between foley&cox HOME and Fornasetti. The desk was purchased in Italy and hand-decorated by Fornasetti using...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Buffet/Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and marble buffet/cabinet. The buffet is raised on two half round front and two back block supports below the straight apro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Burl Walnut, Ormolu and Glass Cabinet/Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl walnut, ormolu and glass cabinet/vitrine. The vitrine is raised by fine bun feet below the straight support decorated ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Museum Essay / Tabernacle Around 1810, Walnut
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum essay/tabernacle around 1810, walnut.
Extremely rare and high-quality tabernacle with very elaborate and rich inlaid marquetry in walnut/root veneer on fir wood.
High construction consisting of 3 elements. The tabernacle has many drawers...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut, Fir
Empire Style Desk Rich Register of Gilded Bronze
Located in Marseille, FR
Lady's desk with Empire style mahogany, base decorated with griffins, very beautiful register of gilded bronzes oak drawer bottoms, top and zippers trimmed with brown and green Moroc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
Cupboard Empire Style, 19/20th Century, France
Located in Madrid, ES
Cupboard
Empire taste 19/20th century, France.
Mahogany, mahogany veneer and other hardwoods.
Upper body with four glass doors and pediment cymbal, lower body with four drawers ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Flame Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Commode with Rouge Griotte By Molitor
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Large Empire Console from the Beginning of 1800 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Large empire console from the beginning of 1800-it is made of light fruit wood. It has a white Carrara marble on top. It has lion claws and golden bronze...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Antique Spanish Regency / Isabelina Mallorquín Dresser, Chest, 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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Baroque Side Vitrine with Veneer and Gold Leaf Details by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exceptional Italian furniture, a unique and exclusive piece of coin cabinet from Modenese Interiors Luxury production. Its dramatic use of veneers from elm, walnut and maple gives th...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Russian Early 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany 'Bureau a Cylindre'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very high quality and spectacular Russian early 19th century Empire style mahogany ' Bureau a Cylindre' with all original gilt and hardware...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This fine Empire drop-front secretary (secrétaire a'abattant or secrétaire en armoire) with a writing and standing desk is signed M. Hirschgartner. Hans Martin Hirschgartner (1766-18...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mouchette Mahogany, Burl Ash, Santos Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu, and Giallo Antico marble buffet. This stunning three draw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Architect's Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire architect's desk.
Flame grain mahogany veneers, leather covered drawers.
Category
1810s Unknown Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Leather, Wood
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays, Handmade Columns and Gold Leaf Decorations
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Turn your house into a lavish private residence with Modenese Gastone's Luxury furniture. Add this majestic three-sides vitrine in a revisited empire...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays and Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Your home interior will never be the same with this Modenese Gastone Luxury Interior masterpiece. From the bottom-up: empire style legs, inlays with decorative woods and radica inser...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays and Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Your home interior will never be the same with this Modenese Gastone Luxury Interior masterpiece. From the bottom-up: empire style legs, inlays with decorative woods and radica inser...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays, Handmade Columns and Gold Leaf Decorations
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Turn your house into a lavish private residence with Modenese Gastone's Luxury furniture. Add this majestic three-sides vitrine in a revisited empire...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Maison Krieger. 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 case pieces and storage cabinets 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 $445,969 while the average work can sell for $5,989.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Barley Twist Bureau
Basket Chair For Beach
Bernard Rohne Cabinet
Bernini Roll Top
Bi Fold Mirror
Biedermeier Closet
Bleached Oak Trunk
Wallpaper Remnant
15th Century Coffer
19th Century Sage Painted Cabinets
1930s Kitchen Hutch
1930s Cedar Chest
1950s Hi Fi
3 Dimensional Marquetry
Aero Media Console
Alessandro Mendini Ollo
American Folk Art Display Case Cabinet
Antique Butlers Pantry Cabinets