Miniature Chest Of Drawers, Known As A "maîtresse" Chest, Made Of Wood Veneer And Marquetry, Late 18th Century
Artist: Anonyme
CThis exquisite miniature master’s chest, crafted from veneered wood and featuring geometric marquetry, is a masterpiece of late 18th-century micro-cabinetmaking.
This exquisite piece in the Transition style—a pivotal period between the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI—bears witness to the virtuosity of Parisian artisans.
Featuring two drawers with no visible divider on the front, it offers a visual composition of perfect harmony.
Its marquetry decoration is structured around meticulously selected veneers, arranged in butterfly wings and highlighted by delicate contrasting wood fillets.
The sides of the chest of drawers follow the Rocaille tradition, while the lines of the front are already becoming more refined under the influence of emerging Neoclassicism.
A set of chiseled and gilded bronze fittings of great finesse accentuates the piece’s architectural design.
The drawers are adorned with movable pull handles decorated with foliage scrolls and decorative lock plates in the form of drapery or ribbon bows.
The front posts, meanwhile, are embellished with superb gilded bronze finials depicting busts of caryatids or classical female figures—a motif dear to the ornamentalists of that era.
The arched base, a hallmark of 1770s refinement, elegantly terminates in small gilded bronze feet.
The chest of drawers is crowned by its original breccia marble top, which closely follows the contours of the frame and displays a rich palette of beige, brown, and white hues.
This type of miniature piece, often referred to as a “master’s chest,” served as a display model or masterpiece to demonstrate the craftsman’s talent before he attained master status within the prestigious Guild of Cabinetmakers.
Although this miniature piece bears no maker’s mark, its structure and the iconographic quality of its bronze fittings immediately bring to mind the creations of the King’s greatest designers and cabinetmakers.
One thinks in particular of Jean-François Oeben, Louis XV’s mechanical cabinetmaker, a pioneer of the Transition style, and famous for introducing geometric decorations of mathematical precision.
The treatment of the caryatids and the precision of the construction also evoke the work of Pierre Roussel, who was admitted as a master in 1745 and was renowned for his exquisitely delicate marquetry and his technically superb furniture.
Finally, the balance of proportions and the finesse of the bronze ornamentation echo the work of Jean-Henri Riesener, who succeeded Oeben and became the principal supplier to the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne in the late 18th century.
This collector’s piece stands out for its excellent state of preservation.
It features a superb original patina that highlights the depth of the wood species used.
The raw-wood drawer fronts and dovetail joints attest to the meticulous craftsmanship of the period.
This miniature chest of drawers will naturally find its place in the collection of a connoisseur of rare curiosities, display pieces, or period furniture.
This exquisite piece in the Transition style—a pivotal period between the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI—bears witness to the virtuosity of Parisian artisans.
Featuring two drawers with no visible divider on the front, it offers a visual composition of perfect harmony.
Its marquetry decoration is structured around meticulously selected veneers, arranged in butterfly wings and highlighted by delicate contrasting wood fillets.
The sides of the chest of drawers follow the Rocaille tradition, while the lines of the front are already becoming more refined under the influence of emerging Neoclassicism.
A set of chiseled and gilded bronze fittings of great finesse accentuates the piece’s architectural design.
The drawers are adorned with movable pull handles decorated with foliage scrolls and decorative lock plates in the form of drapery or ribbon bows.
The front posts, meanwhile, are embellished with superb gilded bronze finials depicting busts of caryatids or classical female figures—a motif dear to the ornamentalists of that era.
The arched base, a hallmark of 1770s refinement, elegantly terminates in small gilded bronze feet.
The chest of drawers is crowned by its original breccia marble top, which closely follows the contours of the frame and displays a rich palette of beige, brown, and white hues.
This type of miniature piece, often referred to as a “master’s chest,” served as a display model or masterpiece to demonstrate the craftsman’s talent before he attained master status within the prestigious Guild of Cabinetmakers.
Although this miniature piece bears no maker’s mark, its structure and the iconographic quality of its bronze fittings immediately bring to mind the creations of the King’s greatest designers and cabinetmakers.
One thinks in particular of Jean-François Oeben, Louis XV’s mechanical cabinetmaker, a pioneer of the Transition style, and famous for introducing geometric decorations of mathematical precision.
The treatment of the caryatids and the precision of the construction also evoke the work of Pierre Roussel, who was admitted as a master in 1745 and was renowned for his exquisitely delicate marquetry and his technically superb furniture.
Finally, the balance of proportions and the finesse of the bronze ornamentation echo the work of Jean-Henri Riesener, who succeeded Oeben and became the principal supplier to the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne in the late 18th century.
This collector’s piece stands out for its excellent state of preservation.
It features a superb original patina that highlights the depth of the wood species used.
The raw-wood drawer fronts and dovetail joints attest to the meticulous craftsmanship of the period.
This miniature chest of drawers will naturally find its place in the collection of a connoisseur of rare curiosities, display pieces, or period furniture.
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PLEASE NOTE! THIS PIECE OF FURNITURE CANNOT BE SHIPPED BY MAIL, SO for home deliveries handled by our carriers, please feel free to request a quote!
1 650 €
Period: 18th century
Style: Louis 15th - Transition
Condition: Good condition
Material: Wood marquetry
Width: 30 cm
Height: 40.5 cm
Depth: 24 cm
Reference (ID): 1842383
Availability: In stock
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