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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
Empire Style Pedestal Desk in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, France ca. 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century French Empire mahogany pedestal desk with gilt bronze mounts, black leather top, two (2) slides, and eight (8) drawers.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Dutch 20th Century Mahogany Empire Style Tallboy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Early 20th century Dutch Empire-style mahogany tall chest of six drawers featuring Neoclassical elements with Art Deco geometry. A pierced brass gallery wraps the sides and partially...
Category

20th Century Dutch Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-19th century The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender drawers on each side, with gilt-bronze mounts and inset tooled green leather writing su...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

French Empire 19th Century Walnut Bookcase-Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Small French Empire bookcase/cabinet with framed glazed sides, featuring a molded wooden elongated X on the inside, one wire-mesh-inset door, the corners e...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

19th century Empire Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very nice directoire/empire mahogany bookcase from around 1800 or early 19th century. The craftsmanship and quality of this piece is high and above what you normally see. It's maho...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet with Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire mahogany marble top buffet with bronze is an exquisite example of fine French cabinetry, with the emphasis on the finest mater...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Large Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of large early 19th century Italian Empire walnut commodes with ebonized columns, bronze doré hardware, and three drawers.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Late 19th Century Empire Desk
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Large Empire mahogany desk, France 1890-1900 Large Empire mahogany desk, veneered and with gilded bronze applications. Straight, rectangular body with central knee compartment, flan...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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 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.
Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble

Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Patent secretaire with mahogany veneered frame and columns with bronze capitals and bases.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Cabinet on Stands 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire side cabinet on stand This Pretty Cabinet Stands Upon Typical Shaped French Legs. Circa 1870 The Single Door Features...
Category

1870s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Stone, Bronze

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

Empire Secretaire, Ebonized, Maple, Ink Painting, Brass, Gold, Vienna circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Fine neoclassical Empire or early Biedermeier Secretaire / Drop Front Desk from Vienna, Austria around 1810-15. Ebonized veneer on oak. Classicist gable cornice with surrounding gol...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Iron, Gold Leaf

Pair of 19th Century Italian Walnut Bedside Commodes
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A fabulous pair of 19th Century Italian walnut bedside commodes or nightstands. With lion mark handles and Carrara marble tops. Circa 1820.
Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Empire mahogany marble top buffet is a marvel of the cabinetmaker's art! First, exotic imported mahogany was employed to create a rich, beautiful background using...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

A Pair of Danish Empire Style Mahogany 3-Drawer Marble Topped Bow-Front
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome pair of Danish empire style mahogany 3-drawer marble-topped bow-front chests with brass inlay and bronze mounts; each with thick Napoleon machete mable top above a bowed cabinet...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Pair Of Russian Neoclassical Style Cabinets or Commodes Marble Top
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Maison Jansen Russian neoclassical style cabinets. These massive and impressive cabinets are wonderfully bronze mounted and each support a greenish black and white veined mar...
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

19th Century Danish Mahogany Empire Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
A remarkably elegant 19th century Empire cabinet that features beautiful crotch mahogany veneer. A drawer above one door that encloses three stationary shelves as well as a drawer be...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet With Shelves Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Late Empire corner cabinet with mahogany shelves from the 1840s is an impressive piece of furniture history that exudes elegance and timeless beauty. The corner cabinet i...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Wood Mirror Front Gold Lion Storage Bar Black Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
This piece was acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. French Empire mirrored front wood bar with black marble top. It features two drawers and storage shelves on ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

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

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Superb 19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Located in Dallas, TX
Marvelous 19th century French Empire three-drawer escritoire with lovely Breche africaine marble top. Having detailed bronze mounts in urn and floral motifs, columnar supports with p...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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

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...
Category

1810s German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Cherry

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany, Ormolu and Verde Marble cabinets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany, Ormolu, and Verde Antico Marble cabinets. Each four drawer two door cabinet is raised by two fr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Period Chest w/Black Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period commode, with black and brass accents, from the early 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped top, with case which houses th...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century French Empire "Bureau a Gradin" Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The rectangular superstructure centred by two drawers above two shelves, flanked by an pair of cupboard doors flanked and separated by patinated and gilt bronze caryatids, the lower part with a leather lined writing slide above three drawers around a slight kneehole each side fitted with a writing slide raised on square supports joined by stretchers and fitted at the front with painted and parcel gilt wood female torsos...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Roll-Top Desk with Gilt Bronze-Mounted
Located in Cypress, CA
This impressive 19th century, French Empire style gilt bronze-mounted Fine mahogany roll-top desk, The blackstone top over three short gilt-bronze mounted drawers, issuing a barrel top desk...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Italian antique empire style wooden cabinet with door and drawer, 1850s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique empire style wooden cabinet with door and drawer, 1850s. Empire style cabinet, in veneered wood with winged columns, central drawer and hinged door. Perfect as a side...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire Glass Cabinet, Northern Germany
Located in Belmont, MA
Classic Empire glass cabinet, mahogany veneer. Beautiful three dimensional columns with ionian capitals. There is one drawer in the lower level of the g...
Category

1810s German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French First Empire Period Chest of Drawers / Commode / Dresser, c. 1810
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Classic French Empire Chest made from rosewood veneer and featuring ebonized front columns, c. 1810. Iconic of the Empire style, two ebony black round columns flank the bank of dovet...
Category

1810s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

19th century French Empire Marble Top Enfilade
Located in Charleston, SC
Great quality 19th century French empire marble top enfilade with bronze mounts and white marble top.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Large Early 19th Century Empire Chest Of Drawers, Mahogany, Ormolu, Paris, 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Large Empire chest of drawers Paris Mahogany Early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 97 x 136 x 68 cm Description: The architecturally designed front of the chest of drawers is divided into three zones. A plinth connected to the floor forms the lower section, on which two sturdy columns rest, supporting the upper section, which houses a large drawer. Three further drawers are housed in the centre section of the chest of drawers, which recedes behind the columns. A black granite top forms the upper end. The drawers, the back panel and the body are made of oak, except for the panels in the side walls. The top section with the ledge drawer is connected to the body with wooden wedges and can be removed for transport. This detail can be clearly seen in one of the photos. Exquisitely beautiful mahogany veneer, horizontally mirrored on the drawers at the height of the key entrances, enlivens the smooth surfaces on which the lavishly gilded bronzes unfold their effect. Some of the very finely crafted fittings can also be found on Empire furniture by Jacob...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

20th Century Biedermeier Style Napoleon Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood. Gilded chimeras. Finely engraved bronze fixtures. (L-Sam-252).
Category

20th Century Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Mahogany Empire chest of drawers, France, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany Empire chest of drawers, France, circa 1880. Currently under renovation. Wood: mahogany dimensions: height 95 cm x width 120 cm x depth 55 cm
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

Rare French Empire Mahogany Bookcase Library Jacob Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Large and very unusual French Empire bookcase in beautifully figured mahogany veneer. Four glazed doors (original glass), interior with original shelves (two on each level allow an adjustment for larger...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

A fine 19th c French mahogany and gilt bronze marble top sideboard by Krieger
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French mahogany and gilt bronze mounted marble top sideboard signed Antoine Krieger. Flame mahogany with fine gilt bronze mounts .
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style chest of drawers French, 19th century Measures: Height 86cm, width 127cm, depth 57cm This beautiful ches...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany. Completely restored, Shellac polish. Period: 1820-1829 Source: Austria, Wien.
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer

19th Century Italian Empire Chest of Drawers / Dresser in Bleached Walnut
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The dresser features four inset drawers, all showing beautiful hand-made dovetail joints. The top is made ...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

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

French Empire Style Enfilade
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th Century French Empire style bleached walnut enfilade with a marble top. 1920 Reference: 8331 Dimensions 87 inches (221 cms) Wide 22.5 inches (57 cms) Deep 36.5 inches (9...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

French Mahogany Two-Drawer Chest, Early 20th Century, Empire Style Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French mahogany two-drawer chest from the early 20th century. This antique French chest features two dovetailed drawers decorated with exquisite Empire style hardware. The keyholes...
Category

20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

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

French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
Located in Leimen, DE
Introducing a stunning French Empire Dresser from 1810, featuring a classic semainier design with five drawers adorned in elegant mahogany veneer...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish 19th C. Empire Style Butler's Chest w/Nice Architectural Details
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Empire style chest with secretary from the 19th century. This antique case piece from Sweden has been designed in Swedish Empire style with a wonderful architectural appear...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Large Empire Bureau Of Hand Polished Mahogany With Inlaid Wood from 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This grand Empire bureau is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the 1820s, crafted from hand-polished mahogany adorned with intricate inlaid wood detailing. Its imposing pr...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Commode, Walnut Veneered with Caryatids, Austria, Vienna circa 1810/15
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very fine original Empire commode or chest of three drawers, walnut veneered with Caryatid pilaster columns, from Austria/Vienna about 1810-15. Lovely book-matched Walnut Veneer on softwood. Excellent french polished surface. Exceptional carved caryatid pilasters depicting of temple guards...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Iron, Gold Leaf

Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Cherub Vitrine Curio Cabinet w/ Onyx Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Winged Cherub Gold Gilt Vitrine Curio Cabinet. Item features onyx stone top, angel/cherub legs with wings, paw feet, distressed gold gilt finish, glass on all s...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Onyx

Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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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