A Louis XV ormolu mounted bois de bout marquetry commode

A LOUIS XV ORMOLU MOUNTED BOIS DE BOUT MARQUETRY COMMODE
Tulipwood, satinwood and amaranth. Oak frame. Chased and gilded bronze. Breche d'Alep marble top.
Paris circa 1740-1750

Typical of the 1740s-1750s, with its superb bois de bout marquery and its jewel-like ormolu mounts applied to an adacious and sinuous shape, our chest of drawers belongs to a group of chests of drawers in floral marquetry stamped Roussel, decorated with rocaille bronzes, like the one from the former collection of the Duchess of Levis Mirepoix (Christie's New York, Alexander Collection, 30 April 1999, lot 180).

From 1745 onwards, the development of a particularly refined form of end-cut marquetry known as 'bois de bout' marquetry became very popular, initiated by the work of Bernard II Vanrisamburg (1700-1760). As for the vigorous scrolling foliate C-scroll and rocaille ormolu frame laid upon an amaranth shadow, it is entirely similar to those of Mathieu Criaerd commodes.
The bronze decoration on our chest of drawers also includes the asymmetrical rocaille chased falls at the corners, four remarkably designed openwork sabots, and the astragals that underline and protect the edges of this precious piece of furniture.