Marcion (attributed To) Commode In Mahogany And Gilt Bronze Empire Period

Beautiful chest of drawers in mahogany veneer on oak and rich mercury gilt bronze trim. A model with a flat facade and pilasters, it owes its elegance to the rich garniture of gilt bronze palmettes flanking the keyholes, themselves framed by a laurel wreath. Parisian work from the Empire period. Not stamped; it is most likely a work of Marcion, which produces chairs in the same spirit. Pierre-Benoit Marcion (1769 - 1840) was, along with Jacob, the main supplier of the Imperial Palaces and the dignitaries of the Empire. At the Palais de Compiegne, in the King of Rome's bedroom, we find a commode by Marcion (of a richer model), but the bronze decoration around the keyholes is in the same spirit. Our chest of drawers is a beautiful amateur model, a rare finish that we can without hesitation strictly date from the Empire. The Empire style is generally understood to extend from the time of the Consulate (where the furniture still has a structure and finishes influenced by the 18th century) until the beginning of the Restoration (Empire furniture but whose bronzes adopt a repertoire stylistic less martial, more "amiable and flowery". Our chest of drawers undoubtedly belongs to the period between these two styles: the pure Empire. Straight, martial shapes, inspired by antiquity but with a research of an almost archaeological dimension . It is an interesting and unusual model in the concern for details and finishes. Height 90cm Length 131cm Depth 58.5cm