Double Crossbow Chest Of Drawers In Solid Walnut, Work From The Center-west Of France, Louis XIV Period

Elegant provincial chest of drawers of fine proportions, in solid walnut, with a so-called double crossbow front. It illustrates the transition between the architectural rigor of the Louis XIV style and the emerging flexibility of the Regency. The front features three rows of molded drawers following a regular double movement, framed by straight and powerful uprights. The side panels, mounted on two planes (one vertical, the other oblique), create a sculptural drapery effect without curves, characteristic of the workshops of the Center-West / South-West at the beginning of the 18th century. The low basket-handle crosspiece, the thick moldings and the rectangular molded top still recall the rigor of the Grand Siècle, while the whole is already animated in a more fluid spirit. Very beautiful warm patina of the walnut, old surface remaining authentic. Some small losses and wear from use on the corners of drawers, natural traces of time which underline the charm and authenticity of the piece. Old but later fittings, replacing the original swing handles. Sound and original structure; the legs have been slightly trimmed over the centuries without altering the proportions. Region: Central-West / South-West of France (probably Saintonge or Angoumois) Period: circa 1710 – 1720 Dimensions: L 139 × D 64 × H 82 cm