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Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

EMPIRE STYLE

From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in ​​Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.

Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.

Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.

Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.

Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Empire
French Empire Style Commode w/Figural Columns Pink Marble
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an adorable petite commode with wonderful grained veneer and blackened flat columns on the sides which have a bronze woman's head on the top and bronze feet on the bottom. It...
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Mid-20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French Empire Mahogany and Bronze Bookcases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 plexiglass door bookcases. (PRICED AS Pair)
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Brass

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

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Empire French Chest of Drawers with marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Chest od Drawers with white marble on top, France, Ca. 1830 Spectacular Commode with original white marble on top and original empire legs. Front of d...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately French Empire flame mahogany cabinet. The top has a straight edge above a frieze with a pyramidal architectural feature. The c...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Empire Banquette or Window Seat in Birch with Marquetry Inlays, circa 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A Swedish Empire banquette/sofa in birch with marquetry embellishments which include foliage and urns and line-inlaid figures of the four cardinal virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. Lower cabinets open to reveal drawers, while top cabinets offer shelving. Note: Needs upholstery...
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Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Birch

Neo Classical Style Burl Walnut Mirrored Back Console Table / Credenzas
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Enhance your living space with this Mid-20th Century Neo-Classical Style Burled Walnut Mirrored Credenza/Console Table, a versatile and beautifully designed piece of furniture that r...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Fantastic French Bronze Mounted Marble Column Marble Top Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fantastic French bronze mounted sideboard is a true statement of luxury, artistry, and craftsmanship. Featuring an elegant marble top and flanked by striking white marble column...
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1940s French Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

19th Century Italian Empire Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century Italian Empire desk is a beautifully crafted piece that exemplifies the neoclassical elegance of the Empire style. Made from richly grained walnut, the de...
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19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood

Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cylinder burl walnut pedestal cabinet. Late empire. Oak beautifully veneered with walnut. A large front door that opens to reveal a set of four shelve...
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Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Oak, Walnut

French 19th Century Painted Chest Of Drawers With Bronzes Handles
Located in London, Park Royal
An antique French, Empire period, chest of drawers, circa 1820's. The solid wood body is painted in a French grey/blue which has an interesting, textured, age distressed patina show...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
Russian (18th Century) mahogany secretary bookcase with brass gallery pediment and trim with 2 front doors revealing 3 drawers and shelves ...
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Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Early 20th C Ebonised Mahogany Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 Empire style mahogany chest of four drawers has a new ebonised finish and black marble top. Decorative columns on the front sides have brass trim and...
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Early 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Inlaid Mahogany Empire Chest of Drawers, Denmark circa 1810
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine mahogany empire chest of drawers or commode with satinwood inlays. Top drawer reveals storage compartments with lids and areas to h...
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Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

French Empire Period Mahogany, Marble and Gilt Bronze Cabinet
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mahogany cabinet was crafted in France in the early 19th century, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor (1804-1814,15). The cabinet features a wide rectangular body, top...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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

Materials

Wood

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

18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
We present you an antique piece of furniture covered with mahogany veneer with beautiful grain. It is topped with a green marble board. The whole is dated the turn of the 18th and th...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Mable-Top Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire style marble-top mahogany sideboard, 20th c, having rectangular marble top, over case fitted with four drawers, cabinet doors opening to interior shelves, with gilt met...
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20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Faux Bamboo Burl White Marble Chest Drawer Sideboard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A good antique 19th century French Empire faux bamboo & white marble pine small sideboard /chest of drawer. The chest having the original veined white marble top above four drawers, ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional drawers. This elegant French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century exudes c...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Pair of Italian Walnut Empire Cabinets
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Each cabinet all over veneered in book matched walnut. The central door flanked by carved columns with an ebonized and gilded finish.
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Patent secretaire with mahogany veneered frame and columns with bronze capitals and bases.
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

French Antique Empire Style Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet, French, in the “return from Egypt” Empire style. After the Egyptian campaign Napoleon asked his “ebenistes“ to incorporate stylistic elements i...
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1880s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Materials

Granite

Danish Late Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Very special late Empire chest of drawers with opaline glass inlay, 19th century, Denmark, 1830. Mahogany with Ivory colored glass inlay. Having four drawers with working locks, 1 ...
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1830s Danish Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Opaline Glass, Mahogany

Important 19th Century Austrian Hapsburg Family Mahogany Walnut Chest
Located in Solebury, PA
A remarkably well-preserved 19th-century Austrian four-drawer chest in exquisite mahogany stands as a testament to exceptional craftsmanship. Its rectangular top, adorned with richly...
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Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Gold

Italian Empire Pedestal Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century Round Marble Top Italian Pedestal. Top sits over three ebonized column supports with carved gilt wood accents at top and bottom. The ebonized columns are a key fea...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Empire Commode with Marble Top and Column Shaped Posts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode from the 19th century, with white marble top, four drawers, butterfly veneer, bronze mounts and column-shaped posts. Created in France during the 19th century, this Empire commode features a rectangular white marble top sitting above a frieze drawer concealed in the apron. Three additional drawers, adorned with butterfly veneer and fitted with shell hardware...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Four Doors Cabinets, Armoire or Dry Bar
Located in Firenze, IT
These imposing solid mahogany cabinets with gilt bronze mounts in the style of the Louis XVI French Empire furnished the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. It has recen...
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Late 20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Bronze

LATE 18th-EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE CHEST OF DRAWERS WITH A SLIDING DESK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant chest of drawers with a sliding desk, veneered in fine walnut. The chest of drawers has truncated pyramid legs, typical of the late 18th century, while the exterior and colum...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Italian Empire trumeau in briarwood and brass with secrets
Located in Milano, IT
This Italian Early Empire Trumeau is a true masterpiece of elegance and mystery, masterfully crafted from burl feather wood, known for its fascinating grain that evokes the nobility ...
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1810s Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Empire Acajou Mouchete Mahogany Mounted Commode, Attributed to Bernard Molitor
By Bernard Molitor
Located in Berlin, DE
A fine Empire acajou mouchete mahogany commode in the manner of Bernard Molitor (1755-1833). A rectangular oak corpus veneered with acajou mouchete mah...
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Early 1800s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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...
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1810s German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Cherry

19th Century French Empire Walnut Fall-Front Secretaire
Located in Southampton, NY
Grey marble top above a single long drawer, two columns with gilded detailing on either side of fall-front desk enclosing six small drawers surrounding one larger drawer and original...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Leather, Walnut, Giltwood

Large low bookcase in Mahogany and mahogany veneer
Located in Paris, FR
Large low bookcase in mahogany and mahogany veneer, opening with two full doors and two central glass doors in the form of a pointed arch, for displaying books or collectibles. Rich ...
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1880s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a remarkable Empire Fall Top Desk, hailing from France during the period of 1800-1810. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this magn...
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Early 1800s European Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Mahogany Small Chest
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) mahogany small chest with 4 drawers and bronze trim with a black marble top There are splits in the wood at the side of the piece.
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Late 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

French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Red Leather Top
Located in Astoria, NY
Handsome mid-20th century French writing desk, made in French Empire style and sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from rich mahogany, the desk features a rectangular...
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Mid-20th Century French Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Barber Piece Empire Period Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant barber furniture in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer from the early 19th century Empire period Very beautiful barbière composed of 5 drawers. interior of the drawers in oa...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE BLOND WALNUT SIDEBOARD
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant sideboard in solid blond walnut, finely carved. The linear design of the sideboard is enriched by two half lateral columns, ending with gilded bronze capitals that give a tou...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810/15
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Empire secretary featuring a two-door lower cabinet, a smooth writing flap, and a top drawer. The piece is adorned with fine inlays depicting stars, lyres, and palmettes, ...
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1810s Austrian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Period Commode
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful French Empire Period Commode. This commode is made with mahogany wood and was professionally sanded, bleached, and painted in ...
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Early 19th Century Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century French tall chest of drawers with a black marble top, made from walnut. The case is lovely and has paneled sides and a single uppe...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Pair of French 18th Century Corner Cabinets with Marble tops, JACOB Frères
Located in Dresden, DE
A pair of French, Empire corner cabinets, 18th Century, by Jacob Frères, one of the most infuluential and successful furniture makers in France. Arched panel door and rounded legs ...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Elegant Continental (possibly French) Empire bureau-plat or partners desk. The pearwood top, inlaid with a center-star-motive and small decorations on each corner, made of a light co...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Pearwood

19th Century Empire French Semainier Commode
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Semainier, Mahogany, France, 1825-1830 ,,The Empire style is an early-nineteenth-century design movement in architecture, furniture, other de...
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1820s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Large Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase from French Chateau
Located in Marseille, FR
Elegant 19th-century wall-mounted library crafted from solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, beautifully executed in the Neoclassical style. This high-quality piece consists of multipl...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Late Empire North German Corner Cabinet In Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Senempire corner cabinet from Northern Germany, made of polished mahogany and dated to the 1840s, is a splendid representative of the elegance and sophistication typical ...
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1840s German Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Walnut Sideboard / Buffet / Credenza, 19th Century
Located in Viterbo, VT
Credenza hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The credenza follows very typical Italian lines with molding used throughout to add depth and decoration to an, otherwise...
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Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

1820s French Empire Marble-Top Chest of Drawer With Paw Feet
Located in High Point, NC
This 1820s French Empire chest of drawers exemplifies refined Neoclassical elegance with its clean architectural lines and rich mahogany veneer. The piece features a striking white m...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Marble

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

Materials

Stone, Bronze

1700s Venetian Empire Work Table, Walnut , extensively decorated in brass inlay
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Venetian Empire work table in walnut, saber legs, early 18th century with brass inlays. A real gem. He belonged to a noble Venetian family, in the Palladian country Residence. It was...
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18th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique 1820 Italy Column Pillar Pedestal Painted Wood Storage Cabinet
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant and unusual Italien painted beech wood cabinet has retained it's original painted decoration. This extravagant piece of furniture shows all the characteristics of late ...
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1820s Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Beech

Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century Small empire cabinet, particular cabinet from the empire era (circa 1840). Italian, with entire column, ebonized and brass...
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Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

A 19th Century French Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1840 A fine early 19th century flame mahogany cabinet with original ormolu mounts and handles, the original Saint Laurent Grey m...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Chest of Drawers, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
French Empire Chest of Drawers, France, 1810 – A Timeless Antique Masterpiece This exquisite French Empire chest of drawers, crafted in ...
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Early 1800s French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

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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