Louis XVI Period Half-moon Commode

A half-moon shaped commode veneered in amaranth, mahogany, and sycamore, inlaid with broken stringing and lozenge motifs with fleurons. It opens with three drawers in the center and two side doors. Gilt bronze mounts include keyhole escutcheons and foliate medallions. Tapered legs with simulated fluting, bronze rings, and sabots. Attributed to P. Roussel. Louis XVI period. Height 90 cm - Width 128 cm - Depth 58 cm. Notes: Pierre Roussel (1723-1782), received as a master on August 21, 1745. Pierre Roussel is one of the finest cabinetmakers of the 18th century. Adapting to changing tastes, he created frieze decorations, trophies, and bouquets of flowers, and made extensive use of lacquer, always seeking color and whimsy. He worked for his colleague Migeon, and "one feels his influence primarily, with his somewhat heavy, curved lines and his commodes with very low-sloping aprons" (Verlet, p. 152). His expertise flourished during the transition from Louis XV to Louis XVI, and he was recognized as "one of the foremost cabinetmakers" in Paris in 1768 (Almanach de Vray Mérite) (Kjellberg, p. 729). Bibliography: P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier français du XVIIIe siècle. Dictionnaire des ébénistes et des menuisiers, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, 1989; P. Verlet, Les Meubles français du XVIIIe siècle, vol. II, PUF, 1956.