Early 18th century Régence walnut commode with gilt-bronze mounts. The commode has a fashionable curved profile to the front. With a beautifully polished walnut top above three top drawers and two full length drawers below, with rounded corners and bracket feet. The drawers and apron decorated with foliated cast handles, key surrounds and mounts. The whole finely carved with cartouches.
Commodes, as chests-of-drawers were known in France, were first made in about 1700 and rapidly became the most fashionable form of furniture in France, ousting the cabinets-on-stands that had held that place in the late 17th century. Similar commodes are known to be made by Nicolas Duval (Maitre 1743) and Jean-Baptist Dulin (Paris, Rue Faubourg Saint-Antoine first half 18th century).
See: Pierre Kjellberg, Le Mobilier francais du XVIIIe siècle, Paris 2008, p. 337-338 (Duval) and p.330 (Dulin).
Condition: very good, French polish refreshed, min. wear consistent with age and use, min. fading – detailed condition report on request
