Empire 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 Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Bookcases Set of 2
Located in Pomona, CA
A pair of French Empire bookcases / China cabinets. Ebonized side pillars with brass capitals. Gilt appliques to top and bottom front. Beveled g...
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Glass
Late Empire Flamed Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oval pedestal cabinet, late empire.
Mirror-cut flamed mahogany with beautiful grain. Door flanked by columns with wood-carved capitals.
Behind the door 3...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Danish Late Empire 'Biedermeier' Flamed Birch Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
19th century Danish late Empire (Biedermeier) pedestal cabinet. Veneered with flamed birch.
Curved door. Oval top with a drawer underneath. One-drawer at the bottom.
Denmark, circa...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Antique French Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique French walnut marble top bedside cabinet, dating from around the 1880-1900 period.
It is of superb quality and it is a very useful size. It is perfect for use as...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Antique Napoleonic French Empire Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Wine Cabinet Armoire 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality French Empire Napoleonic period Mahogany & parcel gilt wine cabinet/armoire, circa 1810.
Made of the finest mahogany this cabinet has the shape of a secretaire ab...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Oak
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.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Late Empire Tall Cabinet of Dark Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late Empire tall cabinet, crafted from dark polished mahogany, is a stunning example of 19th-century craftsmanship. Dating back to 1840, it s...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Glass Door Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Good Quality French 19th Century China Cabinet from Paris. Empire. C.1820
Dimensions:
W:31″
D:16″
H: 64.5″
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase Bibliotheque, Late 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional quality French Empire style mahogany bookcase - bibliotheque with finely cast gilt bronze mounts and interior fitted with 4 shelves.
Very fine workmanship. In excelle...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Granite
Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Bedside Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular Portola marble top over a drawer and grill cabinet door all flanked by columns.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French empire mahogany and ormolu cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality french empire revival mahogany cabinet circa 1890.
Generous proportions and as with all furniture of this scale and period it was built to come apart.
Central glazed d...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Mounted French Empire Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century French Empire cabinet with bronze mounts and leather top. 2 drawers over 2 door cabinet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This large antique late Empire corner cabinet exudes the grandeur and elegance characteristic of the 1840s. Crafted from rich mahogany, a prized wood choice for furniture of this era...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 19th century Danish flame mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality danish 2 part tall mahogany cabinet circa 1860.
Top section with scrolled cornice and applied swags, double doors with shaped panels open to reveal 3 adjustable pine sh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Late Empire Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant oval late empire pedestal cabinet in beautiful walnut veneered oak.
Door veneered with mirror-cut walnut, behind which there are removable shelves.
Very fine quality
Made in ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Walnut, Burl
French 20th Century Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Display your treasured objects in this beautiful early 20th century French Empire style mahogany vitrine. Beveled glass panels can be found in the case antique’s door and sides, allowing one to view the contents placed inside on its two glass shelves. A mirrored back gives the illusion of a completely transparent cabinet. The vitrine has recently undergone a refinishing, giving the antique a ‘like new’ appearance. The wonderful brass hardware found at the capital and base of the pilaster columns which flank the door has been polished to a brilliant luster - along with the sabots that cap the front feet. Inside, two additional finished mahogany lower shelves can be used to house objects...
Category
20th Century French Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Walnut
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Large Late Empire Chatol Made In Mahogany From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
The large Late Empire hand-polished mahogany chatol with marquetry from the 1820s is an impressive piece of furniture that exudes an aura of elegance and historical significance. The...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Column Cabinet from the North of Sweden
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Empire column cabinet from Northern Sweden.
A useful piece of furniture for one of those difficult to fill spaces.
With good storage and scraped to original paint.
Late...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood
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 ribbed...
Category
1790s German Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Gesso, Pine
Empire Period Mahogany Bar Cabinet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb and unique empire period mahogany cabinet topped with a marble
very beautiful bar composed of a shelf and completely decorated with mirrors inside
Very beautiful carved mar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Classical Empire Finely Carved Cellarette in Mahogany, circa 1830
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful form carved Classical Empire cellarette in mahogany with gadrooned edges, hinged top, zinc lined interior, and small brass decorative...
Category
1830s English Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Zinc
French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany bookcase cabinet with bronze trim and 2 glass doors.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Cuban Mahogany "Somno" Side Table, circa 1805
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful "Somno" side table made of high quality Cuban mahogany with a grey marble top.
This French Empire piece dates from the early 19th century, circa 1805.
Meaning sleep in ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire 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 ...
Category
1840s German Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Restored Empire Small Cabinet, Spruce, Cherry, Revived Polish, Czech, 1870s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This two-door cabinet from the second half of the 19th century originates from the Czech Republic and is made from a combination of cherry and spruce wood. Its design resembles a min...
Category
1870s Czech Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Cherry, Spruce
Empire Pedestal Mahogany Cabinet with Faux Tortoise Columns, Denmark, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
A handsome and unusual form, this Empire pedestal cabinet in mahogany with line inlays has carved acanthus capitals on tapered torch-like columns that are in rich birch wood and have...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany
19th Century Black French Pair of Empire Pinewood Cabinets, Antique Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French pair of cabinets made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed commodes are supported by four short arched feet, consisting its origi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Large Empire Danish Glass Cabinet, Bookcase in Mahogany with Bronze Details
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant late Empire 4 doors glass and wood cabinet, bookcase in mahogany.
Pair of locking paned glass doors sitting atop pair of locking wood d...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Cabinet on Stands 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire side cabinet on stand
This Pretty Cabinet Stands Upon Typical Shaped French Legs.
Circa 1870
The Single Door Features...
Category
1870s Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Antique display cabinet from the late 19th century, France.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique display cabinet from around 1880, France.
Dimensions: height 178 cm / width 76 cm / depth 42 cm
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850
A walnut cabinet, mid-19th century, in the French style, with applied gilt brass mounts, on a shaped plinth base.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Walnut
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 Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Early 19th Century French Boulle Cabinets
By Etienne Levasseur
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An important pair of early 19th century French cabinets, made by Pierre-Étienne Levasseur.
gilt bronze mounted ebony and ebonised, cut-brass, pewter and faux tortoiseshell marquetry cabinets in the Boulle style. The rectangular top with brass-mounted rim over decorated ormolu frieze above four reeded brass inlaid pillars with brass capitals, the exceptional centre door profusely decorated with ormolu scrolls and head mounts, flanked by two glazed doors decorated in red boulle and silver inlay, the interiors fitted with shelves, the base with four Bacchic masks terminating on turned tapering toupie ormolu-mounted feet.
Provenance: Kilkenny Castle, Ireland. Purchased new by either, Walter Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormond, (2nd creation in the Irish Peerage, 1770-1820) or James Butler...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Antique Pair of English Mahogany Cellarettes circa Mid-1800s with Lion Paw Feet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique pair of Cellarettes or Liquor Cabinets imported from England, that were generally custom made wooden chests intended to transport or store a small number of alcoholic beverages. Made of finer woods, like mahogany or rosewood and in numerous shapes and sizes. You would often see Cellarettes placed in dining rooms. Men of considerable financial means had as many as three Cellarettes as a status symbol. The pair of Liquor Cabinets or Cellarettes were handcrafted from the finest mahogany and refinished in a traditional French polish. We believe that this pair of antique English Cellarettes...
Category
1860s English Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century French Oak Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 19th Century French Oak Pedestal Cabinet. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with ques...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Wynwood Flex Steel Empire Carved Cherry Wood Glass Display Curio China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Empire Style Carved Cherry Wood Glass Display Curio China Cabinet by Wynwood Flex Steel. Item features a carved wood backsplash, spiral carved columns, original label, 2 drawers, 2 a...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Cherry
French Empire 19th Century Walnut Bookcase-Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Small French Empire bookcase/cabinet with framed glazed sides, featuring a molded wooden elongated X on the inside, one wire-mesh-inset door, the corners e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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 Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
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 Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Of Russian Neoclassical Style Cabinets or Commodes Marble Top
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Maison Jansen Russian neoclassical style cabinets. These massive and impressive cabinets are wonderfully bronze mounted and each support a greenish black and white veined mar...
Category
1950s Unknown Vintage Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Brass
Large Empire Library, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large library with five glazed doors flanked by columns in the upper section and three double doors in the lower section. The fronts of the doors as well as the pilaster strips, the ...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany, Ormolu and Verde Marble cabinets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany, Ormolu, and Verde Antico Marble cabinets. Each four drawer two door cabinet is raised by two fr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
Impressive Empire style buffet by Maison Krieger
French, circa 1900
Measures: Height 199cm, width 217cm, depth 66cm
This magnificent Empire style c...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Empire Dutch Bombe Solid Oak Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
An elegant Dutch cabinet or cupboard that was made in The Netherlands, circa 1820s.
It was completely made in the best quality fine European oak. It has a bombe base ending on claw and ball feet. The base houses 4 drawers each with the original brass key plates and drawer pulls. All drawers are equipped with working locks with a key. The upper cabinet has two elegant doors with beautiful recessed panels. Behind the doors, there are three drawers situated at the bottom, above a shelf with two cutlery drawers underneath. The doors can be opened 180 degrees due to the ingenious hinges. The cabinet has a concave and convex molded cornice with a central hand carved pediment The pediment shows scrolls and acanthus and would have showcased the largest piece of the “Kaststel”. The corniche has three flat areas that were meant to support a set of Chinese porcelain or delft earth ware...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire 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...
Category
20th Century French Empire Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Antique 19th Century Dutch Solid Oak Empire or Louis Seize Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful Empire style or Louis seize cabinet that was made in the Netherlands, circa 1820s.
This high quality piece is completely made in the finest European oak. There are three stepped drawers in the lower section. The drawers are fitted with authentic Dutch cast brass drawer pulls and key plates. All drawers are equipped with a working lock and key. The upper part of the cabinet has two doors with raised panels, chamfered corners and original cast brass key plate with working lock and key. The interior of the upper cabinet houses three drawers below, all with original brass drawer pulls. Above a fixed shelf with two cutlery drawers underneath. Above the mid shelf is a half shelf...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Empire Display Cabinet Mahogany Bijouterie, 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire Style mahogany display cabinet.
circa 1880
This Excellent Quality Cabinet Stands Upon Fluted Tapered Legs With a Fluted Frieze.
The Single Glazed Door Featuring Ormo...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Russian 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Deux-Corps Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and grand scale Russian 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Deux-Corps cabinet. The cabinet is raised by fine ball feet encased by handsome ormolu claws. Ab...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Cabinets
Materials
Ormolu
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 Cabinets
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire cabinets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire cabinets made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Maison Krieger, A.M.E Fournier, Europa Antiques, and R.J. Horner & Co.. 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 cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,210 and tops out at $445,969 while the average work can sell for $6,714.