A Sculptural Dutch Bombe Commode in Bleached Maple

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Description

A wonderfully sculptural and highly coveted Dutch bombe chest of drawers, in the 18th-century Baroque manner, finished in a rare … Read more A wonderfully sculptural and highly coveted Dutch bombe chest of drawers, in the 18th-century Baroque manner, finished in a rare and fashionable sun-bleached blonde.

The form is the star: a true bombé or bombe silhouette, with a dramatically serpentine front and exaggerated swollen bombé sides that swell outward then cinch in, creating a voluptuous, sensual profile from every angle. The top is shaped with a serpentine molded edge, following the curves of the drawers below. The base features a scalloped apron with a central notch and short cabriole-like feet, completing the Louis XV-inspired silhouette.

This example has been expertly stripped and refinished in a soft, natural, matte blonde finish - as seen in your photos - revealing a beautiful, lightly figured grain with curly or tiger maple figuring on the side panels and drawer fronts. The finish is very much in the coveted Gustavian / Belgian / Scandinavian bleached wood trend, giving a 300-year-old form a fresh, modern, organic feel. Perfect for California, French Country, or Swedish interiors.

Featuring four graduated, convex drawers, each with its original antiqued brass hardware: bail pulls with rosette backplates featuring a shell / foliate design, and pierced rocaille escutcheons with keyhole motifs, as captured in your detailed macros. The hardware has a dark, time-worn patina that contrasts beautifully with the pale wood. As your detail shots show, the drawers are constructed with a curved front that matches the bombé side, a difficult and expensive joinery feat. See less