Mazarine chest of drawers in ebony and blackened pearwood Late Louis XIV pe

Ile de France, circa 1710
Dimensions: H. 81 x W. 119 x D. 66 cm

This commode is a work made in Paris in the early years of the 18th century with sophisticated features and first-rate materials. Instead of the conventional three rows of drawers, this chest opens to 5 drawers in four rows. The rounded edges of the uprights are cut with particular care. The blackened pear veneered top and ebony veneered drawers are inlaid with large, finely engraved copper strips, forming a geometric pattern. On the top, five engraved arabesque motifs form part of the geometric pattern. On the sides and uprights, copper fillets are precisely inlaid to form a refined yet elegant design. The line of this chest of drawers is underlined by a beautiful molded bronze molding that separates the top from the lower part.

In this perfectly proportioned chest of drawers, the decoration is bright without being overloaded. In fact, during the restoration, we removed the bronzes that had been added at the end of the 19th century and which surrounded and overloaded the drawer surrounds.

The bronze trimmings respect the balance of space perfectly. The fine Bacchus key escutcheons, drop handles and sabots have been brilliantly chiselled. The gilding has been reworked, as it was unfortunately very worn.

In the case of the drawers, the finely carved inlay is executed in fine walnut. This chest of drawers is in perfect condition, having retained its bronzes, its entire fir and walnut structure, and almost all its veneer. It has just been meticulously restored.