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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
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Maison Krieger French Empire Sideboard Mahogany Gilt Bronze
Located in New York, NY
This is a luxurious piece that reflects the craftsmanship of Maison Krieger, a distinguished French furniture manufacturing company. This piece was procured from an esteemed estate l...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Empire Carved Mahogany Partner’s Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Carved Mahogany Partner’s Desk This beautiful empire partner desk from the early twentieth century is carved from solid mahogany w...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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

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 French Empire Style Walnut Four-Door Sideboard with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1880, this stately 19th-century Empire style sideboard is constructed from richly figured walnut and dressed with its original "Verde Alpi" marble top (also k...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

French Early 19th Century Fruitwood Empire Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire style bibliothèque or display cabinet, handcrafted using solid fruitwood and two glass-front doors accented with brass. The clean, straight lines allow t...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Small Commode
Located in London, England
Small sized French mahogany commode with black marble top. Circa 1880. H 86cm x W 107cm x D 50cm
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1880s French 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...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

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

Materials

Wood

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

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Maslow Freen French Empire Style Breakfront Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maslow Freen French Empire style breakfront bookcase China cabinet with brass grill. Item includes 2 part construction, 8 swing doors, worki...
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20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Empire Bureau Plat Desk Kingwood Empire 1840
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Fine quality satinwood and king wood French Empire bureau plat With ormolu mounts on cabrio legs Such a lovely desk, look at the quality to the casting of the ormolu mounts Features ...
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1840s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Kingwood

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

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

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Vitrine Display Cabinet 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire two door display vitrine Shaped glass to doors and original ormulo fittings Intricate marquetry panels on lower doors Hand crafted from kingwood circa 1860 Bought from ...
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1860s Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Kingwood

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

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...
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20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Unusual Empire Mahogany Chest with Dressing Mirror, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Unusual Empire Mahogany Chest with Dressing Mirror, dating from the first quarter of the 19th century and French in origin. The piece ...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mirror

Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
Located in Brussels, BE
Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
Category

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

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Bureau Plat. The desk is raised on straight tapered legs with ormolu sabots and pierce...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Mahogany Commode with Bluestone Top and Gilt Bronze Hardware
Located in Dallas, TX
This French Empire commode is a perfect example of the type of chest of drawers that became popular in the early 1800s. This was a time when Napoleon preferred to do away with styles...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Stone, Bronze

18th Century Bleached Mahogany French Empire Commode with Black Marble Top
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in France in the early 1800s using oak and decorated with mahogany veneer. The chest of drawers has been bleached and shows gorgeous striations of g...
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Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis, 1810
Located in Hellouw, NL
Beautiful Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). Jean-Joseph Chapuis (born in Brussels) was a famous furniture maker. He obtained a master craftsman ti...
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Early 1800s Belgian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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

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...
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Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

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

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...
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Early 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Carrara Marble

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

Period Empire Italian Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Empire walnut commode with neoclassical giltwood carved appliques.
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

French Double Body Furniture from the 19th Century in Walnut Root
Located in Madrid, ES
French Double Body Furniture from the 19th Century in walnut root H: 240cm 50cm below 40cm above good condition origin: Roman house (Italy)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Display Cabinet in the Empire Style With Brass Elements, Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Display Cabinet in the Empire Style with Brass Elements, Early 20th Century Step into a world of refined elegance with this striking Empire-style display cabinet. Crafted before 193...
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Early 20th Century European Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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

Materials

Ormolu

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

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Restored Empire Sideboard, Cherry Wood, Revived Polish, Czech, 1790s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This exceptional Neoclassical secretary desk with a secret bookcase comes from Bohemia from the late 18th century. It is made of spruce blockboard veneered and inlaid with cherry ven...
Category

1790s Czech Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

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

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

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...
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1820s Austrian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Maple, Walnut, Spruce

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

French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
$6,557 Sale Price
20% Off
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

Empire Secrétaire Bottega Maggiolini Walnut Italy 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Secrétaire consisting of drawer under the plan, tilting door, with cabinet and two drawers at the bottom. Veneered in pedulle walnut and inlaid in various woods. The secrétaire is bi...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Empire Étagères
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
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

Pair of Empire Étagères
Pair of Empire Étagères
$6,500 Sale Price / set
63% Off
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

Pair of chests of drawers 1810 Empire walnut and briar high class
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
Empire elegance: a pair of chests of drawers of rare refinement The beauty of early 19th-century cabinetmaking takes shape in this extraordinary pair of Empire chests of drawers fro...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Nutwood

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 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

Gold Leaf, Iron

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

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

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

French 19th Century 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

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

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

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 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 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

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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