Louis XIV Style Mahogany And Bronze Chest Of Drawers From Saint-malo, Crowned R, 18th Century

A Louis XIV style mahogany commode from Saint-Malo, elegantly decorated with a serpentine front, curved uprights, opening to three drawers, front feet in the form of hoof-shaped feet, and handles and keyhole escutcheons in finely chased gilt bronze, hallmarked with a crowned R**, dating from the 18th century. This commode is in very good condition. We have its key; the lock for the middle drawer is missing. All bronze elements are hallmarked with a crowned R. Note: some damage and missing pieces on the drawer edges (see red arrows), traces of restoration in places, some stains and scratches on the top, wear consistent with age, please examine the photos carefully. _____________________________ *PORT FURNITURE: This term refers to solid wood furniture (mahogany, aramanthus, rosewood, lemonwood) made from the late 17th century in the ports along the Atlantic coast, from Bordeaux to Boulogne. Tree trunks used on ocean-going ships returning from the "Islands" as stowage timber or return cargo were salvaged by carpenters and transformed into luxurious furniture commissioned by wealthy shipowners, merchants, or prominent citizens of prosperous cities such as Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Nantes, or Saint-Malo. These pieces of furniture, crafted with the utmost care and often adorned with delicate carvings, had the advantage, thanks to their hardness, of being resistant to wood-boring insects. The keyhole escutcheons and drawer pulls are made of copper; they brighten the dark woods and withstand the sea air. Furniture from the port of Bordeaux, most often made of mahogany from Cuba or Saint-Domingue, is distinguished by its rather heavy forms with pronounced curves. Nantes pieces generally feature a serpentine front between straight uprights ending in small, snail-shaped feet. Cabinets from Saint-Malo are decorated with octagonal motifs in high relief. Some cabinets from North Finistère feature lemonwood panels framed with aramanta. Port furniture, prized for the beauty of its wood and its impeccable finish, has not been copied, due to a lack of wood species of sufficient quality for reproduction. ** Crowned R hallmark: This hallmark was in use in the first third of the 18th century, guaranteeing the quality of copper alloys. It predates the crowned C hallmark (1745-1749). This mark is most often found on Louis XIV and Regency style objects (everyday utensils in brass or copper) but also on candlesticks and bronze furniture. ATTENTION: FOR A DELIVERY QUOTE, PLEASE CONTACT US WITH THE CITY AND COUNTRY OF DESTINATION. Dimensions: Height 83.5 cm, Width 135 cm, Depth 72 cm. All photos are available at: www.antiques-delaval.com