Pair 20th C. Italian Creme Painted 4 Drawer Bombe Commodes

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A wonderfully decorative pair of Italian Rococo Louis XV-style bombé commodes, beautifully finished in a soft crème-painted surface with contrasting … Read more A wonderfully decorative pair of Italian Rococo Louis XV-style bombé commodes, beautifully finished in a soft crème-painted surface with contrasting blue-gray painted details. Romantic in silhouette and unusually charming as a matched pair, these commodes combine the exuberant curves of the Italian Rococo tradition with the elegant proportions associated with French Louis XV furniture.

Each commode features the characteristic bombé-shaped case, with dramatically swelling sides and a gently bowed façade. The shaped tops follow the movement of the cases and are decorated with a delicate hand-painted lattice or crosshatch pattern. Fine blue-gray painted borders trace the contours of the tops, drawer divisions, sides, and architectural moldings, emphasizing the voluptuous form against the warm crème ground.

The fronts are particularly attractive, presenting the appearance of multiple graduated drawers. The false-front treatment cleverly preserves the symmetrical appearance of a traditional bombé commode while contributing to the clean decorative composition. Repeating blue-gray lattice decoration across the lower drawer fronts gives the pair a distinctive textile-like quality and is continued onto the curved side panels.

Small antiqued metal ring pulls provide understated contrast against the pale painted surfaces, while discreet keyholes reinforce their traditional European character.

Below, shaped serpentine aprons flow seamlessly into slender cabriole legs, terminating in delicately scrolling feet. Subtle carved shell and foliate details at the apron and knees provide an additional Rococo flourish without making the pieces overly formal.

The combination of crème paint, restrained blue-gray decoration, bombé construction, false-front detailing, serpentine aprons, and cabriole legs gives these Italian commodes tremendous decorative versatility. They would be especially striking used as matching bedside chests, positioned on either side of a fireplace, or placed symmetrically in a large living room or entrance hall.

Elegant yet playful, this handsome pair captures the theatrical curves and lighthearted sophistication of the Italian Rococo interpretation of the Louis XV style, making them both highly functional storage pieces and wonderfully decorative statement furniture.



Dimensions: 35.25 inches high x 52 inches wide x 20.25 inches deep See less