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Empire Semainier

French Empire Semainier Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic early French Empire semainier in Mahogany, each of the seven drawers (intended to be used
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire French Semainier Commode
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Semainier, Mahogany, France, 1825-1830 ,,The Empire style is an early-nineteenth-century
Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire French Semainier Commode
19th Century Empire French Semainier Commode
H 55.52 in W 36.82 in D 17.72 in
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire mahogany semainier featuring artful neoclassical hardware. Hand
Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
H 56.13 in W 36.75 in D 18.25 in
19th C. French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Semainier Tall Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A classic French Empire style Semainier Tall Chest in mahogany and bronze ormolu with seven drawers
Category

Antique 1880s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Recent Sales

Maitland-Smith 7-Drawer Empire-Style Semainier
Located in Blacksburg, VA
Maitland-Smith 7-Drawer Empire-Style Semainier. A lingerie chest designed as a Semainier which
Category

Late 20th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers Painted Tall Boy 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous French Empire semainier - or tall boy Semainier refers to the fact that
Category

Antique 1880s Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers Painted Tall Boy 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous French Empire semainier - or tall boy Semainier refers to the fact that
Category

Antique 1880s Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Danish Late Empire Semainier
Located in New York, NY
A Danish Late Empire birchwood semainier, Second Quarter 19th Century, in two parts: the
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Antique 19th Century Danish Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Danish Late Empire Semainier
Danish Late Empire Semainier
H 56 in W 43 in D 20 in
19th Century French Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A 19th century French Empire high chest of drawers, so-called "semainier". Solid mahogany and
Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Granite, Brass

Early 19th c. French Empire Semainier or Chest
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine Empire chest made of flamed mahogany and original brass hardware ( polished and lacquered
Category

Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Empire Semainier, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Tall chest of drawers with seven drawers and rounded, fluted corners, standing on conical feet with brass sabots. The top drawer is accentuated with brass fittings and the top is fra...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Semainier Empire Period Early 19th
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Semainier Empire period early 19th. This very functional piece of furniture was very popular with
Category

Antique 1820s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Semainier Empire Period Early 19th
Semainier Empire Period Early 19th
H 55.51 in W 38.58 in D 17.32 in
Period French Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
. This period Empire mahogany semainier is in three parts to facilitate moving it about. A two-drawer
Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Bronze

Period French Empire Mahogany Semainier
Period French Empire Mahogany Semainier
H 66.5 in W 39 in D 19.75 in
19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Semainier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A nicely-proportioned simple French mid-19th century tall seven-drawer chest or 'semainier', the
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This magnificent 19th century French semainier is the perfect way to add more storage to your space
Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Metal

Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut and Marble Semainier Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bedroom or dressing room with this antique fruitwood Semainier with walnut veneer
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire Seven Drawer Chest of Drawers 'Semainier'
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Unusually small-scale French Louis Philippe flame mahogany seven drawer chest or 'semainier' having
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...

Materials

Mahogany

A Massive French Second Empire Period 19th Century Walnut Semainier
Located in Atlanta, GA
rectangular top above a conforming case housing one upper hidden drawer and seven drawers of equal size, flanked by two columns with finely cast brass capitals, resting on block feet...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Second Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Mahogany Semainier Chest
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th century French mahogany semainier chest of drawers, the top having a moulded
Category

Antique 1840s French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

19th Century Mahogany Semainier Chest
19th Century Mahogany Semainier Chest
H 58.25 in W 31.5 in D 17.75 in
19th Century French Mahogany Semainier Tall Chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century French mahogany semainier chest, with a grey marble top sitting on a moulded
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Dutch 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century Empire semainier from the Netherlands. Semainiers are fitted with seven
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Semainier Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bedroom or dressing room with this antique fruitwood Semainier chest of drawers. Crafted
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Brass

Charming 19th Century Cabinet "Semainier"
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Charming 19th century French Empire cabinet "Semainier".
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Charming 19th Century Cabinet "Semainier"
Charming 19th Century Cabinet "Semainier"
H 54.5 in W 32 in D 18.25 in
French 19th Century Solid Walnut Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful French 19th century, solid walnut semainier is the perfect way to add more
Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Metal

French 19th Century Solid Walnut Semainier
French 19th Century Solid Walnut Semainier
H 55.38 in W 39.75 in D 16.25 in
A German Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers c. 1820
Located in London, GB
A German Semainier chest of drawers on on a platform base, six drawers with gilt lion ring handles
Category

Antique 19th Century German First Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

A Russian Empire Semainier Chest of Drawers Circa 1810 - 1820
Located in London, GB
A Russian Semainier chest of drawers on scroll feet, six drawers with gilt lion ring handles and
Category

Antique 19th Century Russian First Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

19th C. Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in London, GB
A tallboy chest of drawers on on a platform base, seven drawers with gilt lion ring handles
Category

Antique 19th Century German Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th C. Empire Mahogany Semainier
19th C. Empire Mahogany Semainier
H 61 in W 41 in D 21 in
Empire style mahogany semainier
Located in Hudson, NY
Empire style mahogany semainier with brass bead gold leaf fluting details and diamond pattern
Category

20th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

19th Century French Semainier with Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century French Semainier with Marble Top Pulls are replacements
Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 18th century ‘secrétaire à abattant’, or drop-leaf desk, in fruit wood. This lovely piece of upright furniture benefits from a wealth of useful storage compartments, both inte...
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Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
H 57.88 in W 37.41 in D 16.15 in
Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
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This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
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Located in San Francisco, CA
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Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Bookcases

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Ormolu

Empire Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top, France Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire chest of drawers veneered in mahogany, with four drawers and white marble top. The corpus is flanked by columns with fire-gilded bases and capitals, which merge into th...
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble

Antique 18th Century Georgian George III Mahogany Tallboy Chest on Chest, 1760
Located in Portland, OR
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19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Vitrine with Bronze Detailing
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Standing at 63 inches in height, this small scale mid-nineteenth century Louis XVI style mahogany bibliotheque or bookcase is finished with stunning bronze banding. Its corners featu...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire desk Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

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Bronze

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
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Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
H 55 in W 38.5 in D 17.5 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
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Early 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Mahogany Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique console was crafted in France, circa 1810. Standing on turned front columns ending in round feet, and pilaster legs in the rear over a stretcher platform bottom ...
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Console Tables

Materials

Marble

Antique Tall Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome Antique Chest with fine traditional form and good color. Antique tall chest of drawers with three over two over four graduated drawers. The crown moulding with fluted band...
Category

Antique 19th Century Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Tall Chest Of Drawers
Antique Tall Chest Of Drawers
H 62 in W 44 in D 22.5 in
English 1820s Georgian Period Black and Gold Chinoiserie Chest with Stone Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
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Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dr...

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Empire Semainier For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the empire semainier you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each empire semainier for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. When you’re browsing for the right empire semainier, those designed in Empire styles are of considerable interest.

How Much is a Empire Semainier?

The average selling price for an empire semainier at 1stDibs is $6,500, while they’re typically $3,800 on the low end and $16,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Commodes-chests-of-drawers for You

Shopping for a commode or a chest of drawers?

Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote any case piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot. 

As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.

So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands. 

Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.

When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?

Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.

At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.

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