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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
Creator: Baker Furniture Company
Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood Secrétaire á Abattant With Brass Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire or Neoclassical style drop front secretary desk By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous burl wood, with ebonized columns, and original brass hard...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Flame Mahogany Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or French Regency Louis XVI style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Stunning book-matched flame mahogany...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, an...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire style six-drawer highboy dresser chest By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1960s Gorgeous book-matched cherry wood, with original brass hardware. M...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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Mae Credenza, Sideboard by Crump and Kwash
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2010s American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Hand Carved Credenza in Cedar Wood, Sideboard with Brass and Marble Details
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco. CP
This credenza is a piece to touch, the ideal accent for a space with a lot of personality. Its fronts carved by hand in solid cedar wood with a black finish, generate a sensory exper...
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18th Century, French Mahogany Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Sofia, BG
Secretaire a abattant that dates to the end of the 18th century. The interior of the secretaire features five drawers. The secretaire is further configured with two drawers at the to...
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Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Birch Highboy Dresser by Heywood Wakefield
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
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1950s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Art Deco wood credenza, France 1930s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Art Deco wood credenza, France 1930s. Art Deco solid walnut wood credenza with black opaline top. Internal parts are upholstered with its or...
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1930s French Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Art Deco wood credenza, France 1930s
Art Deco wood credenza, France 1930s
H 39.38 in W 63 in D 19.69 in
"Il Pezzo 1 Black Credenza" ebonized sideboard - Marquinia top - bronze base
Located in Firenze, IT
An alternation of rounded shapes and geometrical lines, reassuming discipline and freedom, a composite, multiethnic plan in which each component and each material contributes to the ...
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2010s Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Marble, Bronze, Brass

French Ormolu-Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant by Millet
Located in London, GB
The brèche d'Alep marble top above a long frieze drawer, the hinged fall front with gilt-tooled brown leather writing-surface, the fitted interior with four open compartments and a long drawer, above two cupboard doors, the interior with one shelf, on spreading foliate feet, the gilt-bronze banding to the left side signed Millet à Paris.
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19th Century French Antique Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Stunning Pair Baker Furniture Hepplewhite Mahogany Bow Front Bachelors Chests
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A stunning pair of Hepplewhite style bow front chest of drawers by Baker Furniture. The top has a banded border, which is repeated on each of the four drawers, highlighting the curly...
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Mid-20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Contemporary Sideboard, Credenza in Veneered Wood, Solid Wood and Ribbon
Located in Meolo, Venezia
“Fashion is not an ornament, it is architecture. It isn’t enough that a dress be beautiful, It has to be built like a building, because like a building it is the materialisation of a...
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2010s Italian Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Vintage Pencil Reed Rattan Waterfall Highboy Dresser
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage 1970's Palm Beach Regency split reed rattan five drawer highboy dresser. Gabriella Crespi style waterfall design with brass drawer handles. Di...
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1970s Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Previously Available Items
Baker Furniture French Empire Burled Walnut Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Beautiful book-matched burled walnut, with original br...
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1960s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Baker French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, an...
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1980s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Walnut and Burl Wood Chest of Drawers, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Neoclassical or French Empire style three-drawer commode or chest of drawers By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous book-matched walnut, with burled walnut...
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Late 20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Burled Walnut Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Stunning book-matched burled walnut, with ebonized and gold gilt columns...
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1960s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Baker Furniture Empire Flame Mahogany Flip-Top Server or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Neoclassical or Empire style flip top server or bar cabinet. By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Book-matched flame mahogany, with ebonized columns, gold gilt...
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Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Neoclassical Burled Walnut Bar Cabinet, circa 1960
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire or Neoclassical style commode, server, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Walnut, with burled walnut top and front, ebonized tri...
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Mid-20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Pair of Walnut French Empire Style Baker Commodes Nightstands circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful pair of Baker French Empire stands. They can be used as stands next to a bed or anywhere else in your home. They have their ori...
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1950s American Vintage Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Walnut

French Empire Style Baker Flame Mahogany & Ormolu Server, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
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Baker Furniture French Empire Walnut and Burl Wood Bachelor Chest or Commode
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional walnut and burl wood French Empire commode or bachelor chest By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1960s Book-matched walnut and burl wood and brass hardware Measu...
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Mid-20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Empire Style Olive Wood Writing Desk by Baker Furniture Banded Inlay Top
Located in Toledo, OH
Empire style olive wood writing desk by Baker Furniture Company. Banded inlay top. Hourglass legs with turned center cross stretcher. Brass ring handles and decorative cast brass ros...
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21st Century and Contemporary North American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Wood

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherrywood Triple Dresser or Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire style long dresser or credenza By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1960s Bookmatched cherry and ebonized wood and brass hardware and accents Measur...
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Mid-20th Century American Empire Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Burled Walnut Bachelor Chest or Commode
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire style commode or chest of drawers by Baker Furniture. The chest features stunning burled walnut wood grain and original brass hardware. It offers ample s...
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Brass

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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