Louis-Philippe Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, 1850s

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This chest of drawers was made around 1850 in the french louis-philippe style and exhibits the clear, serene design language … Read more This chest of drawers was made around 1850 in the french louis-philippe style and exhibits the clear, serene design language typical of this era. The closed lines and the pronounced veneer pattern lend the piece a balanced, formally understated appearance. Historical context: chests of drawers of this type were standard furnishings in middle-class living rooms and bedrooms in mid-19th-century france. The combination of walnut burl veneer and a marble top was characteristic of the emerging urban furniture culture of the louis-philippe style: practical due to the moisture-resistant stone top, and prestigious due to the elaborate veneer pattern. Production took place in artisan joineries that were increasingly focused on serial, yet high-quality furniture production for a growing urban bourgeoisie. Features: fifth drawer, concealed in the base and not immediately apparent. Pronounced burl grain of the walnut veneer on the drawer fronts. Design: the louis philippe style is evident here in the restrained, uncarved lines and the emphasis on the veneer pattern as the main design element. Brass ring handles, escutcheons, and curved block feet complement the clear, geometrically ordered overall composition. Function: originally used for storing linens and personal belongings in bedrooms or dressing rooms, this chest of drawers can now be used in a variety of ways as a storage and accent piece in living rooms, bedrooms, or hallways. Dimensions: h 102 × w 130 × d 60 cm. Material and condition: walnut burl/figure veneer on a solid wood frame, gray-white veined marble top, brass ring handles and escutcheons. A small, age-related crack is visible on the side. Otherwise, it has been inspected, cleaned, treated appropriately for the material, structurally checked, and is stable and fully functional. See less