Tall chest of drawers on legs, Louis XV period

"Sauteuse" chest of drawers, with two drawers "sans traverse"
Paris circa 1760
Geometrically decorated marquetry in violet wood
Chased and gilded bronze ornamentation, veined brown marble
Dimensions: H. 75.5 cm x W. 131 cm x D. 64 cm

From 1750 onwards, the Louis XV style evolved towards more lightness in the decorative arts. Flat desks and chests of drawers with two rows of drawers became the epitome of elegance; while the elimination of the lower row of drawers took away storage space, it made it possible to slenderize the line of the legs and raise the waistline, highlighting the ornamental bronzes.

The proportions of this commode are perfectly balanced. These chests of drawers, of which Charles Cressent supplied the most beautiful models, take on their full allure with a slightly rounded shape.

This is a piece of furniture that meets all the criteria of excellence of the Epoque:
- The two drawers "without crosspiece" have been designed so that the marquetry on the front presents a large central motif of the same height as that on the sides. It should be remembered that the term "tiroirs sans traverse" actually refers to the important work of hiding the crosspieces (which still remain) with the overhanging drawer fronts.
- The sides have been rightly curved, giving the front a narrower width than the back, and consequently a better three-quarter view.
- The marquetry has been meticulously crafted in magnificent violet wood, with curling as well as grain. The geometric motifs are set in three large scrolled reserves in the center of the front and on the sides. At the edges of the drawers and around the sides, the frames are multiple and finely executed.
- The gilded bronze trim is admirably chiselled, with wrap-around sabots, superb falls, and beautiful fixed handles and matching lock escutcheons. A bronze rush adorns all the edges of the belts right down to the tips of the feet, highlighting the cut-outs of the belts and the perfect curves of the feet.
- The top of this chest of drawers is topped with Languedoc marble, richly shaded brown with red, gray and white veins.
- The oak frame is in perfect condition, as is the fine darkening of the drawers, none of which have been replaced.

This chest of drawers has recently been restored to the highest standards. It is in an exceptional state of preservation.