Louis XV Chest of Drawers with Arbalète Front

Details

Description

Three-drawer Louis XV-style commode with a continuous, curved arbalète front, crafted in cherry wood with figurative bronze mounts. The multiple … Read more Three-drawer Louis XV-style commode with a continuous, curved arbalète front, crafted in cherry wood with figurative bronze mounts. The multiple broken lines of the front and top are precisely coordinated, lending the piece a calm, cohesive appearance. Historical Context: In 18th-century France, the commode became the central storage piece in private homes, largely replacing the chest. The so-called arbalète front—a multiply curved front line reminiscent of a crossbow—is one of the more sophisticated designs of this furniture type, as it requires elaborate work on the drawer fronts and top. Commodes of this type were found in bedrooms and reception rooms and served to store linens and personal belongings; their sculpted front and bronze mounts also made them prestigious objects. Features: Continuously curved arbalète front, the curvature of which continues into the profiled top. Figurative bronze fittings with espagnolette heads, shell motifs, and matching escutcheons on all three drawers. Design: The piece follows the design principles of the Louis XV style: curved lines developed from the surface, profiled and sculpted drawer fronts, a curved apron, and volute feet. The ornamentation is concentrated on the bronze appliqués, while the wood remains flat and without carved decoration – the effect arises from proportion and curves, not from added ornamentation. Dimensions: Height 91 × Width 121 × Depth 60 cm. Material and condition: Solid cherry wood. Well-preserved, stable condition with signs of use and age; the surfaces show an even, natural patina. All three drawers open and close smoothly. See less