18th Century French Louis XV Period Lyonnaise Commode en Arbalete

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A stunning and impressive 18th century period French Louis XV commode de chateau handcrafted in walnut by skilled artisans of … Read more A stunning and impressive 18th century period French Louis XV commode de chateau handcrafted in walnut by skilled artisans of the Lyon region. The front facade having an arbalete or cross-bow form with three drawers below a solid walnut top with moulded edge. There are traverse rails in between and a shaped apron all having the same crossbow form. On each drawer there are three moulded panels with indented symmetrical moldings. The original bronze hardware with rosettes and drop handles and escutcheons adorn the fronts of each drawer. The corners are rounded with a carved panel over a protruding shaped knee, having short cabriole legs beneath. Sides are paneled. The lovely patina of the hand waxed finish gives the walnut an enchanting luster and enhances the overall desirability of this piece.

Commodes en arbalete are rare simply because of the exceptional skill needed to carve the shape out of a solid piece of walnut. A commode such as this would have been commissioned by only the finest cabinetmaker due to the precision required to line up the raised and indented ridges of the traverse rails with the drawers. Truly a superb example of the ornamentation used in Lyon in the mid-1700s.

During the 18th century, the French often considered the commode to be the prime piece of furniture in the chateau. It was often placed as a showpiece in the main room of the chateau. This elegant period Louis XV commode de chateau will be an asset to any room it is placed in. See less