Italian Louis XV XVI Transition Cube Parquetry Marquetry Chest of Drawers Signed

A stunning, rare, and very fine quality French Transitional Louis XV - Louis XVI style mahogany inlaid marble-top chest after Jean-François Oeben / Jean-Henri Riesener. Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, born in the late 19th / early 20th century, exceptionally executed Parisian work, retaining the original shaped marble top with contoured molded edge, over conforming solid mahogany case extensively inlaid with rich floral decoration and geometric trompe l'oeil marquetry-work. Embellished with finely sculpted and chisled gilt bronze ormolu mounts, the case fitted with three high quality locking bar mounted cabinet doors, each adorned with matched ornate escutcheon and opening thanks to the original keys, revealing a mahogany finished interior with single shelf. Featuring rare and exotic woods inlaid, all rising on bronze mounted transitional cabriole legs, ending in the finest quality patinated bronze sabots. Its three doors do not interfere with its delicate marquetry with decorations of geometric cubes and beautiful flowers on gilt gold ground, its two flat uprights with cut sides inviting finesse and harmony, while its bronzes, with antique motifs indicate the return to refined classic taste. A fine example of the Transition style, this chest subtly combines Louis XV marquetry with shapes that are already more rectilinear. From the middle of the 18th century, certain French artists, at the head of which the architects Blondel and Contant d'Ivry as well as the painter Louis-Joseph Le Lorrain, rose up against the excesses of the rococo style and advocated a calming of lines by the use of classical or even ancient principles. If the "Greek" style was too categorical a response to these requests, the Transition style, soon launched by the Marquis de Marigny, brother of Madame de Pompadour and Minister of the Arts, was much more measured and appreciated. Dutch cabinetmaker Matthijs Horrix was also front and center, a leader a Transition style. Celebrated ebanista Jean-François Oeben was one of the leaders of this new taste, with Jean-Henri Riesener following in the 19th century. Oeben a genius with inlay, he gave birth to several patterns, both sober and elegant, such as the marquetry of bottomless cubes, which was adopted by many of his colleagues including Jacques Dautriche and Charles Chevallier. Jean-François Oeben was particularly known for his "Louis XV or Transition furniture, adorned with leaf veneers, flower inlays or geometric patterns", according to Pierre Kjellberg (Le Mobilier français du XVIIIe, éditions de l'Amateur, 1989). A small secretary in the Transition cabinet...

A stunning French Provincial crème painted chest of drawers commode with beautifully aged original patina and interesting provenance! Exquisitely hand-crafted in France in the late 18th / early 19th century, exceptionally executed in elegant, sophisticated and luxurious King Louis 15th taste, topped with the original rouge red Pyrenees marble top with striking white veining, serpentine-shaped front and molded edge, over a conforming solid wood case fitted with a secret hidden storage compartment and four dovetailed drawers, each with ornate gilt-bronze handles and escutcheons. When you remove the top left drawer, the center panel with faux escutcheon can slide over and reveal a concealed wooden drawer for valuables. Elegantly decorated, the drawer fronts and rounded corner posts adorned with subtle carvings, paneled sides, scalloped apron with hand carved Rocaille shell and scroll motif, rising on short cabriole legs. In the original cream paint finish with distressed chippy paint patina perfection! PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION: Private collection of Floyd and Beverly Sherman (1939-2024) who purchased it for $35,519 in 2001 (paperwork included) Beverly was an iconic owner, exhibitor and breeder of the Tennessee Walking Horse...

Beautiful three-drawer chest of drawers in rosewood and amaranth veneer, topped with Brocatelle marble. The first of these drawers, in the upper section, features a raised front, inl...

Commode Sauteuse France, circa 1770 Dimensions with marble top: H x W x D: 86 x 114 x 60 cm Description: Two-tier piece of furniture standing on curved, flared legs. Due to the re...