Louis XV Style Napoleon III Side Table, France, 1800s

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Auxiliary chest of drawers louis xv style, napoleon iii, s. Xix – france

exquisite one-of-a-kind french auxiliary furniture. It presents … Read more Auxiliary chest of drawers louis xv style, napoleon iii, s. Xix – france

exquisite one-of-a-kind french auxiliary furniture. It presents excellent quality materials, marquetry made with precious woods and two different types of marble. Although it appears to have a simple structure, this chest of drawers keeps two secrets. From an important parisian workshop from the mid-19th century.

this small chest of drawers is made in louis xv style, napoleon iii period. Features a stunning griotte marble top with pearl inlays; it is a marble of belgian origin, which is characterized by its intense red color. It rests on a body with four mixtilinear faces. In front, two registers; one very thin as a belt and another with great capacity. The first is a sliding rosewood drawer outlined in bronze, with a maple wood interior, accompanied by an original gilded bronze lock. This bronze profiling extends throughout the entire piece of furniture. The second, which corresponds to the skirt of the furniture, has a concave movement; it is a drawer with a folding door whose interior is covered with white marble. This drawer opens by turning a gilt bronze handle.

the chest of drawers stands on galvanized legs, all four with sablots. All these fittings are made of bronze gilded with mercury and then chiseled. Furthermore, in the marquetry, present throughout its structure, different fruit wood veneers are used that provide a rich tonal variety, where light and dark woods contrast. The geometric pattern is presented in the form of treillage.

fine lines and typical of the period, a chest of drawers of the highest quality, worthy of a place of honor in the home. Graceful and ingenious, this auxiliary furniture will seduce you with its unique shape that combines rich marquetry and elegance.

more about the louis xv style

the louis xv style is an artistic style, especially present in the decorative arts, that developed during the reign of louis xv (1715-1774). Initially the name "louis xv style" referred to a characteristic type of chairs, but it soon spread to all the arts of the time. This style was the creation of cabinetmakers as a result of a major technical advance in the manufacture of wooden furniture. It is identified with the architectural style called rococo. Like rococo, it has profuse decoration and detail, in contrast to the later "louis xvi style", with a simpler trend.

style and era napoleon iii or second empire

the napoleon iii or second empire style gets its name because it was born in france at that time. Strictly speaking, the second empire was proclaimed in 1852 and ended in 1870, led by louis napoleon bonaparte as emperor of the french, although in the artistic sense it extended a few more years (until 1880). This style was very popular among the french bourgeoisie. The emperor himself was involved in the artistic development of the moment, although more closely linked to architecture. However, it is to empress eugenia that the evolution of the decorative arts is owed.

although it is inspired by the styles of the past, starting with classical antiquity, the renaissance, even louis xvi, much loved by eugenie, the most representative characteristic of the style is sumptuousness and ostentation, always aspiring to show wealth and opulence.

it is not a style designed specifically for the second empire, but a recovery of the different great french styles of previous centuries, a kind of compilation of french decorative trends. Special reference is made to louis xiv, louis xv, baroque and rococo, and little by little to louis xvi, with an eclecticist base. In short, the decorative styles that had positioned france at the forefront of interior design and furniture design in europe, both for quality, originality and beauty.

good condition according to its age and use.

dimensions: 71 x 66 x 46 cm. See less