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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
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

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

Burr-Amboyna, Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cabinet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
This beautiful display cabinet was crafted by the prestigious furniture company, Maison Krieger. The firm was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger. Over the course of the 19th century,...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Fornasetti Decorated Antique Italian Writing Desk
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 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

French Empire Bookcase - Walnut Open Front Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sumptuous French Empire style bookcase and cabinet in walnut Hope the photos do this stunning piece some justice certainly more impressiv...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

A mahogany Empire commode à l'anglaise, Attributed to Jacob Frères
Located in Wijnegem, BE
A top quality Empire commode made in beautiful mahogany veneer (acajou moucheté) on solid oak. Ornaments of gilded bronze and with a fantastic ( purple -brown -white) Fossil Marble ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire Style Painted Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your interior with the grandeur of the 19th Century French Empire Style Painted Commode, a true antique that exudes timeless elegance. Its beautifully crafted design features...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

French Empire Chiffonier Cabinet Mahogany Napoleon III 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Antique French Empire mahogany open front chiffonier with a dark green and white veined marble top and mirrored back plate This server or sideboard dates to Napoleon III 1890 It has ...
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1890s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany and Marble Buffet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu, mahogany and white Carrara marble buffet vitrine. The buffet is raised by handsome block supports centering an elegant raised frieze decorated with a fine ormolu band with scrolled foliate movements. At the center are two doors with glass panes each adorned with striking mottled ormolu fillets, fine rosettes and exceptional pierced palmettes. The two outer doors are flanked by striking architectural columns with outstanding foliate ormolu plinths and capitals. The outer doors also display central glass panes framed within an elegant ormolu band with scrolled designs. The doors open to reveal one adjustable shelf in each section and beautiful cream curtains...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

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...
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1850s Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Antique French Marble Topped Vitrine in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Antique French marble topped vitrine in the Empire style French, 19th century Measures: Height 132cm, width 72cm, depth 47cm This antique mahogany vitrine was made in France and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

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

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

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, 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

19th Century French Inlaid Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French 19th century Marquetry two-drawer commode with a wonderful marble top. Featuring wonderful inlaid decoration, this commode conveys typical Empire styles. A great storage pi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

20th Century Empire Style Courtly Lion Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird’s eye maple on solid pinewood, partially ebonized. Finely engraved Empire bronze fixtures. (L-Sam-301).  
Category

20th Century Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Vintage Regency Empire Glass Etagere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Empire glass cabinet. A chic mahogany with gorgeous Ormolu detail. Interior mirror and glass make the cabinet really light up. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Nutwood

French 19th Century Empire St. Burl Elm, Ebony, Tulipwood, and Ormolu Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl elm, ebony, tulipwood, and ormolu cabinet. The large scale three door cabinet is raised by a straight base with an ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

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 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French late 19th century Empire st. flamed mahogany buffet. This three drawers and four door buffet has the original interior shelf and is raised by four elongated support...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Empire Style French Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid softwood. Architecturally articulated body. Two-door, bent frame box on pressed, carved, poliementvergolddete claw feet. Recessed tower with two t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Softwood

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

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

Late 19th Century Empire Style Chest with Ormolu Hardware and Mounts
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 19th Century Empire Style Chest with Ormolu Hardware and Mounts Beautiful piece purchased in France. Painted in Marie Antoinette Grey. Age appropriate wear, see detailed phot...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

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

French Antique Ormolu Mounted Two-Piece Marble-Top Cabinet in the Empire Style
Located in Tarzana, CA
A French antique ormolu-mounted two-piece marble-top cabinet in the Empire style. Crafted in solid mahogany with fabulous bronze mounts reminiscent of the Empire style using Egypt...
Category

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

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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Desk Empire Bureau Plat Kingwood
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Cool French bureau plat or desk in the Empire manner Elegant piece with cabriole legs and crafted from kingwood Original ormolu fittings and top is finished in tooled leather Bought ...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Kingwood

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

Italian Neo-Classic Fruitwood Sideboard
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Empire Neo-classic (19th Century) fruitwood sideboard cabinet with a marble top over two doors flanked by columns with canted sides.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

19th Century Empire Style French Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid softwood. Architecturally articulated body. Two-door, bent frame box on pressed, carved, poliementvergolddete claw feet. Recessed tower with two t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Softwood

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu & Vert De Patricia Marble Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scaled French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble buffet. The four door three drawer buffet is raised by a straight base with...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Austrian Empire Style Walnut Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine 19th century Austrian Empire walnut commode. Exceptional wood finish and superb quality. A truly elegant piece that is sure to impress!.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Italian Empire Style Walnut Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome mid-century Italian Empire Style walnut chest. Featuring a gorgeous finish, lovely brass hardware and ebonized details. Makes an elegant statement!.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

French Bureau Plat Desk, Empire Dummy Partners Desks
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire bureau plat Classic French antique desk in kingwood with ormolu fixtures We date this desk to circa 1930 Has drawers on both sides although one side they are decorative so this is a dummy partners desk Great for a home office set...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Kingwood

Furniture in Rosewood and Violet Plated 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Called at the time -demicommode- this furniture is a medal after: Jean-François Leleu (1729 - September 3, 1807) convenient that was delivered to the bedroom of the Duchess of Bourbo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top
Located in London, GB
Buffet cabinet designed following some distinctive elements of the Empire style such as the applications of bronzes on the column legs, zoomorphic feet and friezes that frame the s...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

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

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

French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu cabinet vitrine. The vitrine is raised by striking paw feet with luxuriant pierced palmette designs. Above the st...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

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

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

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

French Early 19th Century Empire St. Walnut, Ormolu and Marble Chests
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive pair of French early 19th century Empire st. walnut, ormolu, and Bleu Turquin marble chests. Each three-drawer chest is raised by elegant square tapere...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century Cabinet / cupboard in antique Empire Style Mahogany Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid wood. High-arched, architecturally designed corpus, single-door base, open-sided shelf, flanked by columns with capitals and bases of finely chiselled bronze, sligh...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Napoleonic French Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers Grey Marble Circa 1810
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1810 French Empire (Napoleon) Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with a gray marble top; four drawers, three inset with lion head form pulls and shield ...
Category

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

Materials

Marble, Brass

20th Century Empire Style Caryatide Tulip Veneer Commode
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Empire style Caryatide tulip veneer commode tulip veneer on solid pinewood. Architecturally structured front. (D-Sam-66).  
Category

20th Century Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Tulipwood

Somno Cuban Mahogany Egg Cup
Located in Beaune, FR
Rare somno egg cup in Cuban mahogany opening with a door with a gray Sainte Anne marble top. Empire style, this somno is in good condition. Dimensions ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Antique Period French Empire Two Door Mixed Woods Cabinet W/ Ormolu Circa 1810
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1810 French Empire (Napoleon) Empire Two Door Cabinet Comprised of Mixed Woods (Walnut, Elm & Oak), having a rectangular top above a pa...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

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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