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Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

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
Mid-19th Century French Empire Style Cherrywood Buffet Deux Corps
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-nineteenth century French Empire style hand pegged cherrywood buffet deux corps features classic half columns that flank both the upper and lower doors. The two doors to the...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century French Empire Style Buffet
Located in San Antonio, TX
Step into the elegance of the 19th century with this spacious and beautiful French Empire style buffet, crafted from solid oak to perfection. Known...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Antique Dutch Linen Press in Pine with Sunburst Pediment & Barley Twist Columns
Located in Miami, FL
It is seldom we see an antique pine linen press of this quality and charm! From the Netherlands, a lovely linen press in light honey-colored p...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

19th Century, French Empire Walnut Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A small charming country French walnut Empire one door armoire-bookcase. This piece appears to be early 19th century and has nice neoclassical style bronze mounts. The glass may ha...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Bronze

French Mahogany Empire Period Armoire Wardrobe, circa 1900
Located in Leicestershire, GB
Antique French Empire Mahogany Armoire, circa 1900. A superb example of an early 20th century mahogany French armoire wardrobe. Of knock d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood

Italian Empire Revival Tambour-Front 2-Piece Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handsomely styled with ebonized columns on both sides of the fluted cabinet. Raised on a 2 door case with an interior shelf ending on ebonized and carve...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Empire St. three door armoire in satinwood and mahogany with beveled mirrors. All highly decorated with fire-gilded ormolu mounts. Inside lays fift...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Empire French Walnut Golden Bronzes Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
Three drawers, golden bronze handles, walnut wood, elegant shapes and line make this chest of drawers an interesting piece able to be used in different kind of interior decoration pr...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Antique North German Pine Sun Armoire with Gesso Appliqué
Located in Miami, FL
This exceptional one-of-a-kind armoire from the area of Bremen has the original pink gesso appliqués, circa 1790.  Fabricated from a beautiful knot-less dense pine, the carved ribbe...
Category

1790s German Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Gesso, Pine

Empire Armoire, Vienna, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Empire cabinet with two doors, in solid and veneered walnut. The strict corpus is flanked by columns with floral ink painting on the capitals and bases. The...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Neoclassical Empire Armoire, Walnut Veneer, Brass, Austria/Vienna, circa 1810-15
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant neoclasical Empire / early Biedermeier armoire with original brass hardware and wonderful walnut veneer grain. The armoire has two ebonized full-columns with original corinthian brass...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Austrian 18th Century Empire Style Two Doors Larch Wood Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious and original larch wood wardrobe, convertible into a bookcase, with two doors in the Austrian Empire style of the 18th century The wardrobe, all in larch wood, is all origi...
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass, Other

North German Empire Sun Armoire in Original Faux Bois and Stenciled Finish, 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A stately and rare armoire in the original faux bois and gold stenciled finish with carved pediment top, sun burst motif and carved ionic capitals, Bremen, Germany, circa 1815. Dimen...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Berlin Mahogany Armoire
Located in London, by appointment only
Germany, circa 1825. A Berlin mahogany display cabinet having a stepped pediment inlaid with boxwood stringing above partially glazed doors divided...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Related Items
Art Nouveau Pine Faux Bamboo Armoire or Wardrobe, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent Art Nouveau armoire or wardrobe. Striking French design from the 1900s. Solid pine faux bamboo with original lock and key. Behind the door with the original mirror is ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Pine

French Armoire Louis XVI Mirror Door Exotic Wood Wardrobe, 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
French mirror door wardrobe 1900 Louis XVI style, blond exotic wood armoire hand carved roses. Cabinet with two drawers and three doors. Very good condition. For shipping: Pack 1 : ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

George III Antique Mahogany Gentleman’s Wardrobe or Linen Press
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III mahogany gentleman’s wardrobe or linen press having two mahogany doors which open to reveal a fitted interior of four original sliding trays, one long drawer with ...
Category

1790s English Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Glazed French Painted Buffet Deux Corps - Cabinet
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A remarkable mid 19th century French glazed cabinet. Displaying a pair of glazed doors, enclosing a shelved interior above a pair of drawers and ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Empire France Mahogany Vitrines Bookcase 1810
Located in Roma, RM
Beautiful French bookcase, from the Empire era, in mahogany wood and mahogany feather, with ornaments and applications in gilded bronze and ceased. Four doors, original key. In good ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Pine Entertainment Cabinet
Located in Sheffield, MA
This honey-colored pine armoire or linen press is in two sections -- upper and lower cabinet, four doors with recessed panels. The armoire was later made into an entertainment unit / cabinet. Upper cabinet features a swivel TV shelf...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine

  • Antique Pine Entertainment Cabinet
  • Antique Pine Entertainment Cabinet
  • Antique Pine Entertainment Cabinet
  • Antique Pine Entertainment Cabinet
H 76 in W 61 in D 29.5 in
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 Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

  • French 19th Century Empire Bibliotheque
  • French 19th Century Empire Bibliotheque
  • French 19th Century Empire Bibliotheque
  • French 19th Century Empire Bibliotheque
H 73.75 in W 43.38 in D 20.38 in
Antique French Oak Armoire De Marriage Wedding Wardrobe
Located in Sheridan, CO
Exquisite Norman style de Bayeux, Oak, circa late 1800's. This armoire is heavily and ornately carved throughout, 2 doors, 3 interior shelves & two drawers one locking, inside. Peg ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal, Brass

17th Century French Walnut Wood Buffet Deux Corps
Located in Dallas, TX
This unique buffet deux corps was hand-carved from walnut wood in France during the Louis XIII period (1600’s). A buffet deux corps (literally “two body buffet”) is a two-tiered cabi...
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Mid-19th Century French Fruitwood Buffet Deux Corps with Bonnet Top and Fluting
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-19th century French fruitwood buffet deux corps with bonnet top and fluting detail.   
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique French Renaissance Armoire Linen Press Library Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite French Renaissance Revival Bibliotheque, Linen press or display cabinet. Circa mid 19th cenutry. A large rectangular oak case centered by original 3/4 length glass between turned and fluted columns. Lower side of doors features an inset baroque cartouche with fruit basket and foliate motif within an arched deisgn. Upper molding is stylized with a dentil molding over acanthus frieze. Opens to four adjustable shelves. Case is supported by bun feet. With large full length doors, we often look at antique armoires as passageways to secret rooms or even different worlds. While most antique armoires don’t take us to a different dimension, they nonetheless add incredible charm and beauty to both new and old homes alike. Before closets were built into rooms, a solid wood free-standing wardrobe or “armoire” (French for Wardrobe) was standard for storing clothes. However, not all could afford such a luxury, and many antique wardrobes belonged to the upper classes who owned more than one set of clothes. Thus, on antique armoires from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, we often see artistic embellishments and luxurious details. Antique French armoires often have Rococo or Gothic carvings, mirrored doors and naturalistic carvings. These feminine elements on antique French armoires demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship and artistry afforded only by the rich. The phrase Knock-down referes to the ability for these pieces to be easily disassembled and re-assembled. This allowed for these massive...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Glass, Oak

French 19th Century Empire Style Petite Bookcase
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome petite Empire style bookcase from France, circa 1850. Crafted from warm and patinated mahogany with a more recently painted interior in Farrow & Ball Oval Room blue paint....
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Previously Available Items
Wardrobe Empire Walnut Italy XIX Century
Located in Milano, IT
Empire wardrobe in walnut, Italy, first quarter of the 19th century. Molded frieze, front with a pair of doors and lower band with 3 drawers, tapered columns on the uprights, sides house 4 pantry compartments, turned feet. Base and top are connected by wooden screws...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Poplar, Walnut

  • Wardrobe Empire Walnut Italy XIX Century
  • Wardrobe Empire Walnut Italy XIX Century
  • Wardrobe Empire Walnut Italy XIX Century
  • Wardrobe Empire Walnut Italy XIX Century
H 90.95 in W 95.67 in D 28.15 in
French, 19th Century, Empire Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome Empire style walnut armoire features a carved cornice over a pair of paneled doors mounted with stylized brass floral motif escutcheons. Recently polished with French w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal, Brass

  • French, 19th Century, Empire Armoire
  • French, 19th Century, Empire Armoire
  • French, 19th Century, Empire Armoire
  • French, 19th Century, Empire Armoire
H 96.75 in W 62.5 in D 26.25 in
French 19th Century Grand Empire Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This massive Empire style armoire was crafted in 19th century France from stunning walnut. At over 8.5 feet tall, this massive armoire is crowned ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal, Brass, Ormolu

  • French 19th Century Grand Empire Armoire
  • French 19th Century Grand Empire Armoire
  • French 19th Century Grand Empire Armoire
  • French 19th Century Grand Empire Armoire
H 106.25 in W 66.5 in D 29.25 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Armoirette or Bonnetiere
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Empire period walnut bonnetiere or armoirette features a single door flanked by half columns. Its sides, doors, and frame are constructed of solid walnut. With two removable interior shelves, one of which supports a clothing bar...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

French Armoire Second Empire Mirror Door Cabinet Shelves and Drawer L XIII Style
Located in Labrit, Landes
19th century armoire French Second Empire with columns Mirror door Three shelves and two hanging drawers One big drawer Shelves are all removable i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mirror, Wood

French 19th Century Empire Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This is a stunning French 19th century petite Empire armoire. The mahogany grain of the wood shows up beautifully in the doors which are flanked with columns and ormolu. Classical mo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mahogany

  • French 19th Century Empire Armoire
  • French 19th Century Empire Armoire
  • French 19th Century Empire Armoire
  • French 19th Century Empire Armoire
H 78.25 in W 44.25 in D 18.5 in
Pine Armoire with Two Doors and One Drawer
Located in Baltimore, MD
This interesting armoire has a bold crown molding with pediment standing proud at the corners. The doors, each with two scallop-framed panels open wide on fiche hinges, to almost 180...
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Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine

French 19th Century Empire-Style Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant period Empire walnut armoire features a carved cornice over a book-matched walnut frieze, a pair of paneled doors mounted with stylized brass floral motif escutcheons. A...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

€5700 19th Century France Empire Walnut Wardrobes Armoires 1800
Located in Roma, RM
Fantastic French walnut wardrobe. Period early nineteenth century first empire. Of great quality, the walnut used, bronzes of excellent workmans...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Early 19th Century French Mahogany Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
Early 19th century French mahogany chest of drawers. Five drawers plus an invisible one right below the top. The Two curvilinear pilasters are lacquered in black color. This chest of...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mahogany

Painted Pine "Faux Secrétaire" One Door Armoire
Located in Baltimore, MD
This interesting single door wardrobe presents as a fall-front secretaire, with the panels on the door suggesting a desk top with a drawer above a...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine

Antique 18th Century French Empire Armoire in Oak with Interior Storage Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
A French armoire, likely from the Empire period, in beautiful French oak with two doors opening to an interior offering three large storage drawers, also in oak, that were added in r...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Oak

Empire wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wardrobes and armoires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire wardrobes and armoires made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 wardrobes and armoires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,136 and tops out at $36,500 while the average work can sell for $8,783.

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