French Louis XV Style Commode

Gold pagodas and willow trees float across a lacquered belly, held in by bronze vines.

This Louis XV style commode comes from France and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is lacquered and painted bronze. In the 18th century, French cabinetmakers were drawn to Asian lacquer, and chinoiserie scenes on swelling bombe commodes became one of the signatures of the Louis XV style. Two curved drawers show gilt landscapes of figures, pavilions and birds on deep brown lacquer. Ornate bronze handles, escutcheons and corner mounts curl along the front and down the splayed legs. A molded pink marble top caps the piece. It is 50.5 inches long and 33 high.

Restraint was simply not in the brief.