Lyonnaise Walnut Chest Of Drawers, Regence Period

Beautiful Lyon Regence chest of drawers in blond walnut wood. The front has a double crossbow and opens with three drawers. They have kept their original locks as well as the key, typical of Lyon; and their bronze fittings called "Chinese" punched with a crowned R. The uprights are straight and molded, the sides with double panels. It is covered with its very overhanging top with a corbin beak. The frame is made of softwood. Period: around 1730-1740. Provenance: Château de Vinzelles (Mâconnais). The crowned R: Do not confuse with the crowned C which corresponded to a tax collected between 1745 and 1749 on copper objects rather in Paris. The crowned R is found on Louis XIV or Regence style pieces. Its use is therefore prior to that of the crowned "C", this punch would not have been the subject of the collection of a tax. It was reserved for the Provinces. My crowned "R" was struck on common and liturgical pieces, candlesticks, light arms, etc. as well as on some beautiful bronzes such as our chest of drawers handles.