Chest of drawers and bookcase in solid mahogany, made in Nantes in the 18th century.

Exceptional scribanne bookcase chest of drawers with two bodies in solid mahogany.
The central part opens to a flap held by iron compasses and reveals a strongly curved interior with 12 small drawers framing two secret lockers on either side of a tabernacle. The lower curved part opens to three drawers including the upper one with two boxes. The upper part, with two glass doors with wide mouldings in relief, is surmounted by a curved cornice.
The lower crossbeams are molded and scrolled and it rests on four small scrolled legs.
All bottoms are in original oak.
The typical Nantes flame-shaped lock entries and the bronze hinges of the upper part are original, the entries and draw rings of the central and lower parts are posterior, the compasses and all the iron locks are original.
Very good state of preservation, of a remarkable quality of execution, the mahogany panels used are of a single plank whether for the sides, the drawer fronts or the flap, the whole panels of the sides of the central part with undulating mouldings are worked in the mass!!
This exceptional piece of furniture perfectly symbolizes the purity and the elegance without excess of the Nantes furniture of the XVIIIth century.
Acquired by Mr. Louis MALFOY on October 18, 1992, year of the edition of his book, in the Talma auction room of Nantes, he had moreover kindly helped to write the description. He reappeared on December 3, 2013 at the Miséricorde auction house in Nantes during the dispersal of part of the furniture from the MALFOY estate, see photos.
Mr. Louis MALFOY was the author of the book ''Le meuble de port'' published in 1992 by Editions de l'Amateur, a work which is a reference on port furniture with that of Mrs. Françoise MAILLET ''Le décor Nantais de l'armateur du XVIIIe'' published in 1984.