Louis XV Commode Kingwood, France 18th century

Louis XV commode, kingwood, France 18th century.

This Louis XV kingwood commode is raised on tapering legs with scrolled caps and it has a bombé front with three drawers, one large and two smaller ones on the upper part.

Furthermore, it stands out for its brilliantly grained rosewood and kingwood veneer with gold-plated bronze fitting beautifully formed backplate handles and escutcheons. Additionally, a rosé, overhanging original marble embellishes the Louis XV commode. The lock plate has a signature:  “Chalamel, Rheims, RR-Rue des Tapissiers 23” to the lock plate.

Historical Background

Louis XV reigned from 1715-1774. This period reinvigorated French furniture and breathed new life into the older Baroque style.

The primary motifs used to decorate furniture and other pieces at the time were rocaille and coquille, the French words for rock and shell respectively.

But while Baroque furniture caters to robust design and balance, the ornate details of Rococo were purposefully feminine and romantic. They are more graceful and place less of an emphasis on symmetry.

Under Louis XV, bombé commodes became increasingly influenced by Rococo elements. The carcasses were made of oak or pine wood and the surfaces were decorated with parquetry or marquetry for which the makers beside fruitwoods increasingly used exotic woods like rosewood, kingwood or mahogany.

Ormolu decorated sabots (shoes) decorated the curved or tapering legs.

Please also read our blog about the history of Louis XV furniture for further information.

Details about this piece

The Louis XV commode comes professionally refinished. It measures 38.18 x 18.89 x 33.85 inches.
The commode ships from Germany and includes shipping to Boston.

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