Chest Of Drawers Attributed To Etienne Doirat

Chest of drawers in rosewood opening with four drawers in three rows and resting on four small feet. The chest of drawers is lined with gilt bronzes on a background of marquetry in the tip of diamonds in hoofs, in the keyhole, in the pattern of the mask of Ceres, in leafy drawing hands, in falls, in bronze fillet emphasizing the perimeter of the piece of furniture, in pull handles on both sides. The skirt of the chest of drawers is curved and forms a "bridge" (the middle drawer being absent). The chest of drawers is surmounted by a red Campan cherry marble top. Attributed to Etienne Doirat Regency Period Usual restorations, restored marble, two missing side handles added H. 84 x W. 107 x D. 60 cm The piece of furniture in our study is a chest of drawers that we can date from the Regency period. Several elements give us clues as to its dating, but also about its author. We can easily attribute this chest of drawers to the cabinetmaker Etienne Doirat (1675-1732). It is a so-called “bridge” chest of drawers (so called for the shape of its frame forming a “bridge”). This curve on the front, on the sides and the uprights indicate that the Louisquatorz style is no more. These assertive curves are the result of very high technicality. This know-how continues to develop and improve in the first third of the 18th century. The richness of the bronzes also marks the production of this period. Indeed, they are not only there to reinforce the solidity of the furniture, but also have a decorative role. The fashionable motifs are inevitably the shell and the heads of characters as our chest of drawers proves to us. Moreover, it is thanks in particular to its bronzes that we can attribute it to the talented cabinetmaker Etienne Doirat. His production is composed in particular of many chests of drawers. According to Jean Dominique Augarde, only his late works are stamped (remember that the stamp is not compulsory until 1743). Thus, several dressers bearing "his signature" remind us of the work of our study. This is the case of lot 25 from the March 14, 2018 sale at Christie's London, and the signed chest of drawers reproduced in the article by Jean Dominique Augarde in "Etienne Doirat, Menuisier en ébène" in the J. Paul Getty Museum Log. On the other hand, the importance given to the curling of the marquetry can only confirm the attribution to Etienne Doirat. He particularly enjoyed highlighting the wood veneers, which he carefully chose from among the most prestigious species (such as amaranth, violet wood, rosewood or even rosewood). The diamond points are motifs that he particularly likes. This chest of drawers is so full of details, both in its bronze fittings and in its milling games, it is impossible for us not to notice its high quality. Sources: Kjellberg (Pierre), French furniture of the 18th century, Editions of the amateur Demetrescu (Alain), The Regency style, Editions of the amateur Augarde (Jean Dominique), Etienne Doirat - Joiner in ebony, The J Paul Getty Museum Journal Vol. 13