MAHOGANY COMMODE EMPIRE STYLE WITH GILT BRONZE, CA 1880.
Antiques -
Reference: Z3393
Empire style chest of drawers in mahogany and gilt bronze, circa 1880. A five-drawer chest with garland-shaped fittings, key locks, and decorated lock shields, resting on semi-spherical legs with a dark stone top. The front is flanked by two pilasters with female capitals beneath a vegetal motif and bases resembling women's feet. It is crafted from mahogany palm and the fittings are high-quality gilt bronze. Details such as the purity of the furniture's lines, its clear geometric form, the angles, the presence of caryatids on the front and the smooth back, the centralization of the relief in the gilded bronze appliqués, the use of mahogany, and the inspiration drawn from classical antiquity (Greek and Roman) place this chest of drawers within the Empire style. This style dominated all French arts at the beginning of the 19th century during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), and was one of the most important inspirations for the Second Empire style, which emerged under Napoleon III and enjoyed great success between approximately 1860 and 1880. The piece is notable for the high quality of its wood and the perfection of its bronzes, both in their reliefs and gilding. These French metal ornaments were highly regarded in cabinetmaking for their quality, a result of the strict control exerted by the central government over the guilds responsible for their production. This control was characterized by the specialization of the various workshops necessary for their creation and subsequent sale to individual master cabinetmakers or to other merchants who, on occasion, exported them. While it is true that this was not a custom-made piece of furniture, but rather one produced using a system somewhat closer to mass production, these were in all cases important works destined for the homes of prominent families, both because of the materials used and because they reflected the latest aesthetic trends of the time.
· Size: 110x58,5x90 cms.
3.000 €
