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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.

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Style: Empire
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Vitrines / PAIR
Located in Dallas, TX
a handsome pair of Empire-style gilt bronze mounted (ormolu) mahogany marble top vitrines / display cabinets, each with two interior glass shelves, glass on three (3) sides, back and...
Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Empire Burl Wood Bibliotheque Bookcase Cabinet, Circa 1880s
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique French Empire knockdown bibliotheque bookcase cabinet In the manner of Louis Majorelle France, Circa 1880s Gorgeous burl wood, with bronze mounts and trim. Me...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Mahogany Bonheur du Jour Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
19th century French Empire mahogany Bonheur du Jour desk. The upper section is decorated with classical motifs of pharaoh masks and wreaths around...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Granite, Metal, Brass

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Oak Dresser, circa 1920
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
An oak French Empire style dresser from circa 1920, with a drawer and display part. The cabinet has the original antique glass. Pilaster detailing...
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1920s French Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Oak, Glass

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Burl

French Empire Commode with Beautiful Inlay & Bookmatched Veneer, Early 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode with beautiful inlay and book-match veneers, from the early 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped, book-match veneer top,...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

20th Century Empire Style Small Curio Display Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful mahogany wood 1970s small Curio cabinet glass shelves. The curio cabinet features three adjustable glass shelving resting on four tapere...
Category

1970s Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Empire Desk
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire desk with mahogany veneer, decorated with numerous brass applications. The surface of the furniture is finished with polish, giving a subtle gloss. The table top is covered wi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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.
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Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Creamware, Walnut

Italian Empire Period Bleached Mahogany and Brass Mounted Credenza
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with rounded front corners above a conforming case housing three drawers above two doors, interesting with six shaped feet, brass mounts on the middle drawer...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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.
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

BALKWILL & PATCH Antique 19th Century Empire Style Rosewood Dresser with Mirror
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Empire style dresser with attached mirror by Balkwill & Patch Furniture Co. Rosewood with classic Empire styling, upper gallery...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mirror, Rosewood

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Secretary, Scandinavia, Around 1870, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 210 cm ...
Category

1870s Norwegian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Antique Empire Bookcase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary antique empire bookcase in great condition completed and restored by our professional craftsmen team. This elegant piece is th...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

French Escritoire Desk Mahogany Antique Chest
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This rather imposing escritoire stands upon turned feet. The bottom panelled doors open to reveal an inner oak lined drawer. The writing section having a drop down fall with a leat...
Category

1860s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A statley 19th century mahogany secre´taire a` abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal marble top resting above a single drawer disguised into the apron. Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling. The leather is in great antique condition making this a comfortable place to work. When open, you can see the theatre is equipped with five drawers and a large, arched top cubby flanked with column forms. With the desk down the maximum depth is 32”; the writing surface is 28-½” heigh. The desk front...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Late Empire Style Bookcases
Located in Roveredo In Piano, IT
Pair of Late Empire style bookcases. Small in size, they are composed of elements in solid walnut and others in folder and feature a wick shellac...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, an...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

19th Century French Pinewood Book Shelf - Antique Cupboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique shelf cupboard in patinated Pinewood with top and lateral molding, in good condition. This early 19th Century furniture is perfect to display ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Pine

19th Century French Empire Period Ebonized Bookcase
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Great quality early 19th century ebonised French Empire period bookcase. Having a moulded cornice above a pair of shaped glazed doors with original old glass and flanked by pilaster...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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

Empire Secretaire with Writing Desk, Richly Inlaid Wood. Italy Late 18th Century
Located in Torino, IT
"Empire" cylinder writing desk, secretaire with pull-out top, internal drawers and four external drawers. Origin Italy Period Late eighteenth century Model Cylinder writing des...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Walnut

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ash, Burl

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

19th Century Black French Pair of Empire Pinewood Cabinets, Antique Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French pair of cabinets made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed commodes are supported by four short arched feet, consisting its origi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Empire Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This two-door French Empire bibliotheque is framed on either side by columns that go all the way to the feet. The top and bottom of the columns are...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Pine

Late Empire Flamed Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oval pedestal cabinet, late empire. Mirror-cut flamed mahogany with beautiful grain. Door flanked by columns with wood-carved capitals. Behind the door 3...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier period around 1815. Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with two drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above, another drawer above and a hidden head drawer at the very top. The piece of furniture is veneered in exciting grained birch wood. Due to the different color hangings within the wood and the interplay of hues associated with it, we also refer to it as "flamed" birch. The beautiful wood is complemented by blackened moldings and beautiful fire-gilded bronze hardware in beautiful quality. The interior of the writing compartment is veneered in apple tree. We see a stair-like rise to a central door flanked by pilasters. Drawers of different sizes and two large compartments with dividers for letters and papers complete the secretary part. Looking at the piece of furniture from above, we see an old shipping label. According to it, the secretary was loaded onto the train at the station "Odertor" in Wroclaw. The destination was probably Berin. Corresponding mmarkings we find on the back panel. Piece of furniture made in wonderful quality craftsmanship. A true testament to the high quality of Prussian furniture...
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Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Birch, Fruitwood

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Empire Mahogany Commodes, circa 1820
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Rectangular top above three graduated recessed drawers flanked by three quarter rounded ebonized columns raised on plinth block feet.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French Bureau Plat or Desk with Gilt Griffin Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Bureau Plat or Desk, France, circa 1950s. Elegant design in black lacquered wood with brass hardware and an inset black leather...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Metal

Rare Classical Empire Finely Carved Cellarette in Mahogany, circa 1830
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful form carved Classical Empire cellarette in mahogany with gadrooned edges, hinged top, zinc lined interior, and small brass decorative...
Category

1830s English Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Zinc

French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840. Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads. Very useful pedestal open vitrine...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Antique Circa 1900 Victorian Era Tiger Oak Empire Style Sideboard
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique circa 1900 Victorian era sideboard in the Empire style, unbranded. Tiger oak with wood knobs, upper gallery with mirror, curved front legs and on metal casters. Features a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Buffet Cabinet, by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted marquetry buffet cabinet, by François Linke, Paris. This handsome buffet or side cabinet has its original Swedish green marble top. The veneers are of the finest figured acajou flammé. The frieze is fitted with a long drawer with citronnier and ebonised marquetry panel depicting a Etruscan chariot...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Danish Late Empire Mahogany With Inlay Bureau / Secretair
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Danish early 19th century secretary or slant front bureau. Exquisitely crafted from mahogany with fabulous marquetry decoration in black n...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut

Empire Period Officer's Trunk
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb officer's trunk in wood and iron from the Empire period 19 century Very beautiful and rare trunk covered with a thin layer of iron and resting ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Iron

French Empire Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately French Empire flame mahogany cabinet. The top has a straight edge above a frieze with a pyramidal architectural feature. The c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Demilune Cabinet
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
French demi lune sideboard in mahogany. Empire, circa 1820. Two-door corpus in demi lune form. Mahogany veneered on oak. One drawer. Newer slightly overhanging granite top instea...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Granite

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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.

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