Louis XVI Mahogany Chiffonier, Late 18th Century.

A small mahogany and mahogany veneer chest of drawers, known as a "chiffonnière," with three drawers and a gallery-shaped stretcher top, surmounted by a white Carrara marble slab encircled by an openwork bronze gallery. This piece dates from the late Louis XVI – early Directoire period, circa 1790. Its Neoclassical architecture features a body supported by four Roman columns, with the uprights highlighted by copper fluting (the back lacks copper fluting). The drawers, sides, and back are adorned with quarter-round copper moldings. The stretcher is encircled by a bronze gallery—the same design as the upper gallery—with the front protected by a molding. The turned baluster feet are fitted with bronze sabots; traces of the original casters are visible. The three drawers have period iron locks; a single key operates all three. The ornamentation is completed by bronze rosettes at the base of the feet, as well as three later bronze keyhole escutcheons. Condition: sound piece, marble top in good condition. The old, thick, yellowed varnish has been removed; the mahogany has regained its beautiful original warm color. Waxed varnish finish. Dimensions: Height: … cm Width: … cm Depth: … cm Documentation: see Nicole de Reyniès, Mobilier domestique, vol. 1, entry "Chiffonnière" (definition of the small work table with three superimposed drawers), pages 362-363.