A Louis XV chest of drawers stamped Popsel

Louis XV chest of drawers stamped Popsel

Bulging chest of drawers, opening to two long drawers, with concealed crosspiece,
The whole is inlaid with tulipe-wood grain and end grain (in sole or also known as sausage*) with King-wood buttresses, on an oak and King wood frame with oak darkening. Beautiful ornamentation in chiseled and gilded bronze, such as rocaille feet, keyholes, and keys complete the decoration. The whole is topped with a sheet of old rance** marble.
The Popsel stamp is stamped on the front right leg, with a guild mark next to it. Jean Popsel, master craftsman since July 5, 1755.
Dimensions at the marble: Width at the marble 68.3 cm, at the base 64.7 cm.
* The technique of sawing veneer known as “sole” or ‘sausage’ sawing consisted of a 45-degree cut, similar to that used for “end grain” wood, which was 90 degrees. This sawing method produced less tightly packed slices than traditional end grain sawing, resulting in a decorative effect known as “butterfly wings.”
** Le vieux rance, est un marbre qui fut très apprécié par Louis le XIVème pour l’ embellissement du Château de Versailles ; notamment pour la colonnade de la façade, ainsi que la Galerie des Glaces et le Grand vestibule, sans oublier de multiple salons, sous forme de portiques où de lambris et chapiteaux .
Jean Popsel, of German origin, was born in 1720. He worked for several years as a freelance craftsman in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine before becoming a master craftsman on July 5, 1755. Until the end of Louis XV's reign, he lived on Rue Traversière. He then moved to Rue Saint-Nicolas and continued working until after 1785. His work mainly consists of Louis XV or Transition-style chests of drawers and corner cabinets, some decorated with fine marquetry of flowers, attributes, and latticework, others more soberly veneered in rose wood or mahogany.