French Regence Commode by François Lieutaud

Regence period chest of drawers opening to three drawers in two rows separated by crossbars darkened with brass fluting and topped with a Belgian red marble known as Rouge Royal de Hautmont. Constructed in amaranth veneer on a quality fir frame with walnut drawer boxes, the front features a powerful crossbow curve, shouldered uprights and curved sides.
The cabinet is adorned with high-quality chased and gilded bronze ornamentation featuring plant motifs whose suppleness echoes the lines of the chest of drawers: a large apron-mounted cul-de-lampe decorated with a shell flanked by ribbed and crimped acanthus leaves - two corner falls decorated with acanthus scrolls enriched with cartouches of ovals, palmettes and fleurons, four wrap-around sabots decorated with acanthus palmettes, reticulated backgrounds and gadrooned leaves typical of the Regency period - four rosette pull handles - two large chased entrances in the style of the corner falls (one actually in function : lower drawer) and four smaller diamond-shaped escutcheons (two actually in use: upper drawers). The order of the keyways serves a perfect ornamental symmetry inherited from the Grand Siècle, with which our cabinetmaker retains ties.

The chest of drawers is in superb original condition, with its period bronzes (the two rear sabots redone to the model) and its old iron locks.

This highly refined piece of furniture is representative of the most charming creations of the Regency period.

Stamped (twice) F L for François Lieutaud.

Parisian work from the late Regence period, circa 1720.