COMMODE (CHEST OF DRAWERS)

Creator(s): Unknown (Cabinet Maker)

On view in: Entry Hall

About this object

The top is covered with a slab of mottled red marble. The front is divided into three sections, the middle projects slightly. At the top are three shallow drawers, each faced with interlaced small and large circles, the large ones enclosing rosettes, all in marquetry. The same pattern is continued on the sides. The front is split crosswise for two large drawers faced with marquetry. The design in the center consists of sharp diamond shapes tip to tip and quatrefoils between them. The pattern on the other panels consists of regular wawy lines tied together and enclosing quatrefoils between them. The pattern on the panels consists of regular wavy lines forming lozenges enclosing quatrefoils. The marquetry on the sides simulates cubes in perspective. The corner posts are canted, and mounted at the top with a trigliph and laurel swag motif in lacquered brass. The legs curve at the knees, which bear a foliate mount ant taper downward to sabots with acanthus leaves ending in lion's claws.

Object name:

COMMODE (CHEST OF DRAWERS)

Made from:

Marquetry -- ormolu (or gilt brass)-- marble

Made in:

Paris, France

Date made:

c. 1775

Size:

37 × 56 1/2 × 27 in. (94 × 143.5 × 68.6 cm)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

31.15

Signature marks:

LABEL Objet endommagé/pieds cassés [In French on top of carcass under marble top] INSCRIPTION 265 / 3 / 3 [in pencil] [Under marble top

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973