Louis XVI Chest of Drawers, 1780s

Details

Description

Antique louis xvi chest of drawers with marquetry and marble top

france (dauphine)
walnut and others
late 18th century

dimensions: … Read more Antique louis xvi chest of drawers with marquetry and marble top

france (dauphine)
walnut and others
late 18th century

dimensions: h x w x d: 89 x 114 x 59 cm

a three-tiered piece of furniture with rounded pilaster strips and black inlaid fluting, standing on tapered square legs.

the drawer fronts are each divided into three panels using an elaborate marquetry technique.
the centre panels feature bronze key plates in typical louis xvi style. These are framed by green-coloured bands and fillets of light and dark contrasting woods.
the outer panels are used to hold the dominant handles, which also correspond to the characteristic design language of the late 18th century with bows and hangings. They are mounted on panels of diagonally set walnut and framed by alternating green and red coloured woods.

the sides of the piece of furniture echo the design of the front panels.
a heavy, light rose-coloured marble top with fine veining forms the upper end.

worth knowing:
the wood colouring techniques used on this chest of drawers are particularly noteworthy. Enclosed you will find a photo of the piece of furniture in its unrestored found condition with clear bleaching of the wood. As can be seen, no red or green colouring was visible at this time. In the course of the restoration, the colouring was not supplemented, but the original colouring was revealed again by removing the old varnish and carefully cleaning the surfaces with fine, alcohol-soaked steel wool.
this restorability of the colours shows that the wood was not only stained on the surface, but was completely dyed through.

both the design of the piece of furniture with the striking black fluting and the technique of intensive wood colouring are associated with the work of the hache family of ebenists from grenoble. A central element of their work was the systematic research into wood colours and staining techniqu

condition:
refurbished condition with a shellac hand polish. Absolutely robust furniture suitable for everyday use.

comparable pieces of furniture can be found in the specialised literature:
pierre and françoise rouge - le génie des hache e.g. P. 303, 432 and 448
edith mannoni - mobilier savoyard & dauphinois from p. 77 this piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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