Late 18th Century French Walnut Commode

Standing on tapering square sectioned feet, and is of typical Louis XVI rectilinear form, its straight lines contrasting beautifully with the curly veneers of the burr walnut used to decorate the centres of the drawer fronts. Each drawer front is crossbanded in contrasting lighter timber and fitted with original ormolu handles and escutcheon plates. This metalware is of particularly fine quality, finely cast and finished and clearly supplied by a top metalworking workshop of the time. The pilasters supporting the piece are inlaid with mock fluting.

The timber used throughout is of very high quality. The top is made from two planks of curly walnut which has acquired a fine faded colour with age. The sides are treated in a similar fashion and the timber used for the drawer fronts is burr walnut. The back of the piece is panelled, always a sign of quality.