A Painted Provençal Chest Of Drawers From The Louis XV Period.

A molded and carved chest of drawers, a Provençal piece from the second half of the 18th century. Curved in plan view on both the front and sides, it opens with two large drawers.

Each drawer is accented by molding that forms three cartouches. The central cartouche features a bronze lock plate, while the side cartouches house the drawer pulls. The rounded side panels rest on curved legs ending in carved feet. The lower rails, on both the front and sides, as well as the legs, are highlighted by a fine molding running along the entire lower section of the chest.

The lower crossbar on the front is adorned with a carved and openwork design consisting of an acanthus leaf palmette, from which sprig-like acanthus leaves and vine branches adorned with leaves and bunches of grapes extend.

The sides are paneled and follow the curve of the piece. The body, with straight lines in elevation, has a curved profile in plan on both the front and sides, with the sides gradually widening toward the back.

The chest of drawers has retained its two original iron locks, which are still functional thanks to an antique key. The lock plates and bronze pull handles date from the 18th century and appear to be the ones originally fitted to the piece.

This chest of drawers is representative of Provençal furniture production from the second half of the 18th century. At that time, the workshops of Provence were part of a broad production network stretching along the Rhône Valley, from Lyon to the Mediterranean. Trade and the movement of journeymen fostered the spread of common designs, techniques, and decorative styles, explaining the many similarities observed between pieces produced in the Lyon region, the Dauphiné, the Comtat Venaissin, and Provence. Each production center nevertheless retains its own distinctive features, while contributing to the regional identity characteristic of 18th-century Rhône Valley furniture.

The piece features its original polychrome finish in light ochre tones overlaid with white. The original wooden top, which follows the curve of the chest of drawers, is painted to imitate marble in nuanced shades of gray. It is molded with a wide cove molding, and its underside is slightly beveled all around to visually reduce its perceived thickness. This original finish, preserved with its slight wear and minor chips, now offers a particularly decorative patina.

The visible parts are made of walnut, while the intermediate shelves, the back panel, and the drawers are made of softwood. The drawers are joined with large dovetail joints and secured with wrought-iron pins. 

This chest of drawers is in excellent condition. It retains normal signs of age, including some slight wear on the wood and natural wear on its polychrome finish.

Dimensions:
Height: 89.5 cm
Width: 129 cm
Depth: 64 cm