Empire Chest of Drawers, France 1810

Empire chest of drawers, France 1810.

Beautiful pyramid mahogany veneer decorates this beautiful original Empire chest of drawers. Two columns with brass capitals and bases are next to the three lower drawers, the upper drawer is slightly protruded. A black marble top embellishes the top.

The chest or commode shows the typical features of the Empire furniture style.

Historical Background

Empire furniture arose during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte over the First French Empire, which lasted from 1804 to 1814.

The Empire style is an evolution of Neoclassic design. These two styles share similar features, as can be seen in themes borrowed from Roman antiquity.

Empire furniture, like Louis XIV pieces, is known for its commanding size and grandeur, which are meant to be awe-inspiring.

Most furniture from the Empire period has large dimensions and abundant adornment. These serve the purpose of making the pieces look striking and magnificent.

Empire furniture has a definitive layout and showcased simplistic geometric shapes with level surfaces and distinct angles. Decorations were symmetrical, and motifs mirrored one other on each side.

Details of this chest of drawers

The chest of drawers offered here can be located to a more provincial part of France. The elements of symmetry and geometric design of this chest are the typical features of the Empire style.

But the modest decoration, with no escutcheons and only finely engraved capitals and bases on the columns, suggest a more provincial provenance.

The chest of drawers is in very good original condition with the expected wear and tear of an antique piece. It measures H 37.8 in. x W 47.25 in. x D 23.63 inches (H 96 cm x W 120 cm x D 60 cm).

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