French Empire Commode Chest of drawers wood and ormolu

About the Item

Extraordinary chest of drawers in the Empire style, in the time of Napoleon I Bonaparte. Made of wood, the fronts are veneered with mahogany palm, one of the most exclusive, attractive and sought-after wood veneers, used in the most exquisite joinery, always intended for the most luxurious furniture. Mahogany wood, with its particular dark reddish color, became the quintessential wood of the Empire style. Said style is characterized by straight, majestic and massive lines, generally with rich ornamentation in gilt bronze, with the intention of transmitting the greatness of the French nation to the world. The emperor tried to use art to assert his political power. For this reason, it is a rectangular piece of furniture, practically square, with three registers on the front, flanked by two columns. . The chiselled gilt bronze inlays in bas-relief took on a fundamental ornamental role and for this reason the locks should be highlighted. The central part presents a curious clover shape, framed in a delicate garland inspired by plants. The key is preserved. The legs are also rigorously characteristic of the style, the two front square and the rear the same. The marble top is intense black and white , almost grey ,original from the period, as evidenced by the cut notches. French Empire style (1804-1830) The French Empire style appears to be inserted within Neoclassicism, a reaction that arose at the end of the 18th century against the Baroque and Rococo styles. It has as its antecedent the so-called Directory style, with which it shares a large part of its formal characteristics. This reaction is inspired by classical art, inspired in turn by the study of classical antiquity and the archaeological excavations that were taking place at that time in Rome, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum... as well as the aesthetic theorists of Winckelmann and the development of the study of Egyptian culture, which became fashionable at that time in France due to Napoleon's campaigns in Egypt. The dating of this style corresponds to the years in which Napoleon was appointed consul (1799-1804) and emperor of France, as Napoleon I Bonaparte (1804), until his defeat at Waterloo (1815). However, in terms of furniture, the style lasted another 15 years, until the 1830s, until the Restoration period (return of the Bourbon dynasty). From France, the Empire style spread to the rest of Europe, occupying different names. It greatly influenced the Regency style in the United Kingdom, but it also reached Germany, Italy (Italian Empire style), Spain, although somewhat later (Fernandino style), Sweden, and even Russia. As for the formal, the Empire style is committed to the majestic, but always from elegance and a return to classical symmetry. It is a return to the classic shapes, based on the straight line and horizontal planes, where geometry takes on vital importance. Furniture from this period is somewhat austere, with straight lines and flat surfaces. He also preferred flat bronze decorations, often gilt, to the refined carvings of previous years. In short, it represents the greatness of the Napoleonic regime, equating itself with the Empire of Alexander the Great, that of Julius Caesar, or even Pharaoh Ramses II. This is one of a kind piece, very sought after in the fine art and antique market.

Dimensions:

Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)

Style:

Empire (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Ormolu,Wood,Hand-Crafted

Place of Origin:

France

Period:

1800-1809

Date of Manufacture:

1800