Baroque Chest of drawers walnut, Germany 1750

Outstanding Baroque chest of drawers, made in South Germany around 1750.

This walnut baroque chest of drawers is an absolute eye catcher. It is an example of the quality and love for detail of 18th century German cabinetmakers.

Akanthus leaves and flowers decorate the prestigious original brass fittings.

Historical background

During the 17th century, the Baroque style had a marked effect upon furniture design throughout western Europe. Large wardrobes, cupboards, and cabinets had twisted columns, broken pediments, and heavy moldings. The Low Countries adopted the Baroque style in the 1620s and it extended late into the 17th century, when Germany and England began to develop it.

After the Thirty Years’ War the German territory of the Holy Roman Empire was divided in multiple small principalities. Each court had a slightly different taste and as a result the German Baroque furniture styles vary from region to region. In southern Germany the French influence on furniture design was more prominent than in the western or northern parts, where Dutch and English styles were predominant.

The big centers for the production of  south German Baroque furniture were the cities of Wuerzburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth and Ansbach in Franconia. Additionally the interested noble and clerical clients could go to the biannual sales fair in the city of Frankfurt, where ebeniste or cabinetmakers from various regions and countries were able to present and sell their masterpieces.

The Commode or Chest of Drawers in 18th century Germany

Another part of southern Germany which was dedicated to produce high quality furniture pieces was Bavaria. One type of furniture which became fashionable at the Bavarian court around 1730 was the commode, or chest of drawers.

The cabinetmakers mostly used walnut veneer and added geometric or curved marquetry made of ebony, mahogany or local woods. Moreover, the chest of drawers usually had three drawers and stood on bulbous shaped feet. Furthermore, German furniture designers, like their French counterparts, used prestigious brass or bronze fittings to ennoble their furniture pieces. Around 1740 the superbly decorated commodes became part of the preferred furnishing of the rulers representation rooms.

Details of this chest of drawers

The walnut Baroque chest of drawers comes refinished and French polished. It measures H 32.29 in. x W 47.25 in. x D 22.45 in. (H 82 cm x W 120 cm x D 57 cm).

It ships from Germany and includes shipping to Boston.

Please check out our website for additional German Baroque commodes.

Please contact us via e-mail or phone or chat with us on the website for any further questions.