French Neoclassical Provincial Chest of Drawers Commode Circa 1800

Details

Description

A beautifully worn and patinated commode from the first years of the 19th century, this Directoire chest of drawers features … Read more A beautifully worn and patinated commode from the first years of the 19th century, this Directoire chest of drawers features a fantastic Cararra marble top. The top captures the life of the chest, totally worn and honed, almost entirely matte and with stains from the use it has enjoyed for more than two centuries.

Crafted in an era that almost entirely rejected the flourishes of the Monarch, the form is totally austere with sharp geometry and clean lines. The stop-fluted columns on either corner flank a pair of side-by-side short drawers situated over two full-width drawers over a skirt embellished only with a series of carved vertical dashes. The legs are typical of the period, tapered in all four directions, while the sides are molded to match the front.

It is a product of the countryside with local pine secondary woods, these with huge hand-cut dovetails for the drawer structure and also crudely lining the back with a vertical paneling affixed with hand-forged rosehead iron nails (and some later nails to tighten the boards over the years).
Measurements: 36 5/8" H x 22 1/4" D x 48 1/2" W

Condition Report:
Old marble top, likely original, stained and overall with a honed/matte surface, light chipping along the edges - especially the underside edges; old refinish over very old inactive pest damage throughout; missing keyhole escutcheons for upper drawers (probably removed intentionally, the holes filled); shrinkage cracks throughout, notably in the sides; minor joint separations; sturdy and strong. See less