Louis XVI Chest Of Drawers, Stamped "c.c. Saunier," 18th Century

Louis XVI-era chest of drawers, stampe   C.C. SAUNIER

(Claude-Charles Saunier, master craftsman in 1752)

Elegant Louis XVI-era chest of drawers in solid light mahogany and mahogany veneer, stamped C.C. SAUNIER, a prestigious Parisian cabinetmaker who became a master in 1752 and is considered one of the most brilliant exponents of neoclassical furniture during the reign of Louis XVI. His works are now featured in the most prominent public and private collections and are particularly sought after by connoisseurs of 18th-century French furniture.

This chest of drawers features a linear silhouette of great architectural purity, characteristic of Claude-Charles Saunier’s work. Its front features nine drawers arranged in three rows, offering exceptional storage capacity while maintaining perfect harmony of proportions.

The front is accentuated by an elegant arrangement of straight-grained mahogany veneer panels, highlighting the warmth and depth of this precious wood. The beveled side panels are finely carved with simulated fluting and extend into tapered, fluted legs, which are topped with gilded bronze feet.

The sides are also paneled, underscoring the care taken with every surface of the piece, in keeping with the most refined examples of Parisian cabinetmaking.

The chiseled and gilded bronze hardware is of the highest quality. It includes large circular pull rings with beaded rosettes, as well as lock plates richly chiseled with ribbons and laurel wreaths, typical of the Louis XVI decorative style. The piece features exquisite gilding that elegantly highlights the simplicity of the design.

The top is topped with Sainte-Anne gray marble (or gray veined marble of comparable quality), with a “bec-de-corbin” edge, perfectly suited to the piece’s aesthetic.

The interior retains its oak drawers fitted with dovetail joints, attesting to traditional craftsmanship of the highest order.

The “C.C. SAUNIER” is clearly stamped on the frame, confirming its attribution to Claude-Charles Saunier (1735–1807), whose work is distinguished by the precision of its lines, the quality of the mahogany used, and the excellence of the bronze fittings. He served an aristocratic clientele and worked notably for the leading Parisian haberdashers.

This chest of drawers is a remarkable example of late 18th-century Parisian cabinetmaking. Its understated design, elegant proportions, the nobility of its mahogany, and the renown of its maker make it a collector’s piece intended for discerning connoisseurs and the most refined interiors.

Period: Louis XVI, last quarter of the 18th century (circa 1780–1790).
Cabinetmaker: Claude-Charles Saunier (1735–1807), admitted as a master in 1752.
Mark: C.C. SAUNIER.
Materials: solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, oak frame, chiseled and gilded bronze, Sainte-Anne gray marble top.
Origin: Paris.

This piece, thanks to the quality of its craftsmanship and the authenticity of its maker’s mark, ranks among the most representative works of Claude-Charles Saunier, whose furniture is regularly featured in major international galleries and leading auctions.