1900-1909 Petite French Louis XVI Parquetry Seven-Drawer Semainier With Marble Top

Details

Description

Petite French Louis XVI Parquetry Seven-Drawer Semainier With Marble Top
Seven drawers—one for every day of the week.
An exceptionally … Read more Petite French Louis XVI Parquetry Seven-Drawer Semainier With Marble Top
Seven drawers—one for every day of the week.
An exceptionally narrow French semainier, or seven-drawer weekly chest, crafted in the refined Louis XVI taste. Its remarkably slender proportions make it an ingenious storage solution for spaces where an ordinary chest would never fit.
Each drawer front is decorated with beautifully matched chevron parquetry, arranged to create a succession of dramatic V-shaped patterns. Contrasting banding outlines the drawers, while round brass ring pulls, classical corner mounts, a decorative apron mount and brass sabots provide restrained Neoclassical embellishment. Coordinating parquetry continues along both sides—an unusually handsome detail that allows the chest to be appreciated from several angles.
A dark, molded marble top crowns the case, which stands on slender tapered legs. The seven oak-lined drawers are perfectly suited to lingerie, jewelry, accessories, documents or other small necessities.
Traditionally, a semainier provided one drawer for each day of the week. Today, its tall, exceedingly narrow form is ideal beside a bed, between windows, in a dressing room, bathroom, hallway or any difficult corner requiring attractive storage.
Details
Origin: France
Date: Early 20th century, circa 1900–1930
Style: Louis XVI / French Neoclassical
Materials: Parquetry veneers, hardwood, marble and brass or bronze mounts
Features: Seven drawers, marble top, chevron parquetry and metal sabots
Maker: Unknown See less