X
Share this painting
X
FR EN
Back
Share
Zoom

Regency period chest of drawers in Rosewood

Paris, circa 1725

Rosewood and amourette veneer

Dimensions : H. 83 x L. 130,5 x W. 65 cm

This chest of drawers is a fine example of the sobriety and balance of the French Regency style. The proportions and symmetries are absolutely respected. The geometric decoration of the marquetry is reinforced by straight, gilded lines that structure and lighten the imposing appearance that chests of drawers, descendants of the chests of the Haute Epoque, still had at the beginning of the 18th century.

It opens with four drawers in three rows separated by crosspieces decorated with brass fluting. Each upright is also decorated with three similar flutes. On either side of the fluting, the frieze is decorated with chevrons, indicating a high level of quality for these chest of drawers. The rosewood top is original and in very good condition. The wooden tops, which are more fragile than the marble tops that appeared later, have unfortunately often suffered various types of damage and have sometimes been replaced by a later top or even replaced by marble. The apparently sober marquetry is in fact very elaborate: the drawers are veneered with four frieze leaves within a triple frame. The top is decorated with a geometric design in arched reserves. The cabinetmaker has used a very beautiful contrasting rosewood, with almost black veins on a golden brown background. On the sides, he chose a frieze decoration in amourette, an exotic wood that is lighter than rosewood, to visually highlight the front.

The bronze ornamentation is chased and gilded. The drop handles and lock escutcheons are rich and unusual. To give this chest of drawers a pure line, the cabinetmaker chose to work the lower drawer in a straight line, without an apron, and to decorate the legs only with marquetry.

This chest of drawers is in remarkable condition. The veneer is original with only a few areas of drilling. The drawer mouldings are in very fine walnut, as befits a piece of Parisian furniture from the first quarter of the 18th century. The frame is in fir, also entirely original. This piece of furniture has just been restored according to the rules of the art, with the drawers recast and a superb buffer varnish.