Louis XVI Chest Of Drawers, Stamped "j. P. Bertrand," 18th Century

Louis XVI-period chest of drawers, stamped

Jean-Pierre BERTRAND

, master cabinetmaker certified in 1775

An elegant and rare Louis XVI-period chest of drawers, crafted from solid mahogany and finely selected mahogany veneer, stamped “Jean-Pierre BERTRAND” and also bearing the JME guild mark, attesting to its Parisian manufacture in the second half of the 18th century. Jean-Pierre Bertrand, who was certified as a master on March 1, 1775, worked on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine and is renowned for his refined mahogany furniture, characterized by its understated aesthetic and exceptional craftsmanship.

This chest of drawers features a design of perfect classical rigor, characteristic of the Louis XVI style. The perfectly symmetrical front features nine exposed drawers, skillfully arranged:

• three lower drawers,
• two large central drawers stacked one above the other,
• and four side drawers arranged in two columns.

The piece as a whole offers a particularly harmonious composition, where the balance of proportions highlights the nobility of the materials.

The mahogany veneer, of superb quality, features a warm mahogany-brown hue with delicately flamed grain. The fronts are accented by an elegant frame of thin, beaded gilded bronze moldings, lending the piece great distinction without ever detracting from the understated elegance characteristic of the Louis XVI style.

The rich ornamentation of chiseled and mercury-gilded bronze includes:

• large corner finials decorated with acanthus leaves and volutes,
• lock plates adorned with knotted ribbons,
• finely chiseled pull rings,
• pull handles shaped like stylized leaves,
• beaded frames and bronze friezes,
• brackets and rings accentuating the tapered, fluted legs.

The piece rests on four tapered, fluted legs, topped with gilded bronze feet, accentuating the elegance of its silhouette.

The sides, entirely veneered in mahogany within molded frames, attest to particularly meticulous craftsmanship, as the piece was designed to be admired from multiple angles.

The interior reveals high-quality cabinetmaking, with oak drawers assembled using traditional late 18th-century dovetail joints. The drawer slides are original and operate smoothly.

The chest of drawers is topped with its original gray Sainte-Anne marble top, with slightly rounded corners, perfectly fitted to the apron.

The Jean-Pierre BERTRAND maker’s mark, accompanied by the JME hallmark, confirms the authenticity of this fine Parisian piece from the Louis XVI period. Bertrand primarily produced refined mahogany furniture, whose quality of craftsmanship and understated ornamentation are particularly sought after by collectors today.

Condition

In very fine condition.
Original veneer carefully restored, formerly re-gilded bronze fittings, marble in excellent condition. The piece displays a beautiful patina and remarkable craftsmanship.

A Collector’s Piece

With its maker’s mark, the quality of its mahogany, the exceptional balance of its proportions, and the finesse of its carving, this chest of drawers stands as a remarkable testament to Parisian cabinetmaking during the reign of Louis XVI. Its understated and elegant design, combined with first-rate craftsmanship, makes it a piece suited equally to a major collection or to a classic or contemporary interior seeking authentic 18th-century furniture.