European Lacquer Chest Of Drawers Attributed To Mathieu Criaerd

Elegant and large Louis XV period chest of drawers in European lacquer and gilt bronze attributed to Mathieu Criaerd (received as a master in 1738).

Its refined polychrome European lacquer decoration, in blue, red, and gold on a black background, is directly inspired by Chinese lacquer, which was particularly popular among the 18th-century population, known as "chinoiseries."

The curved facade features a profusion of various flowering branches and long-tailed birds (typical of Far Eastern representations) gracefully perched on the branches. The scenes are framed by borders decorated with fine scrolls and interlacing, all around the drawers and sides.
The composition is also enlivened by several butterflies and reeds. This theme and these details are similar to the beautiful work of Mathieu Criaerd. A similar chest of drawers is featured in Pierre Kjellberg's highly regarded cabinetmaker's dictionary "18th Century French Furniture", Page 252

We can see that the butterflies and birds share very pronounced similarities.

The rich gilt bronze decoration is also a key factor. This referenced commode is very similar in its trim and the framing along the length of the commode, forming an apron.

The trim of our commode features shell and foliage motifs, which descend in an animatedly chiseled border to enveloping hooves with graceful shell and scroll decorations. The apron is decorated with intertwined foliage and a central openwork shell. The handles are chiseled with fine leaves harmoniously attached to finely chiseled openwork scrolls.

The sides are adorned with lake landscapes depicting bridges, carp, and deer, a delicate evocation of the idealized nature of this period.

The top is decorated with Aleppo breccia marble, scalloped on all sides, with a double groove and a corbin beak.

The quality of its curves, the balance of its composition, and the richness of its bronzes make this commode very similar to the work of Mathieu Criaerd, one of the greatest specialists in 18th-century European lacquer furniture in the Far Eastern style. Criaerd had established himself, by the 1740s, as a preferred supplier to this aristocratic clientele, who were very attached to exotic refinement.

This commode's uniqueness also lies in its size, measuring 146 cm long and 63 cm deep, making it a long and graceful commode.

Dimensions: H: 86 cm x W 146 cm x D 63 cm