Louis XVI chest of drawers with elaborate marquetry

Dimensions: H x W x D: 94 x 127 x 63 cm

Description:
Quite exceptional classicist chest of drawers with very rich inlay work.

On conical, profiled square feet standing three-bayed piece of furniture with slanted pilaster strips and only slightly protruding top plate.

The fronts of the three drawers are divided into two sections by light and dark contrasting fillet bands. The elaborate marquetry technique depicts various landscape and hunting scenes in an Alpine village setting.

The top plate is similarly elaborate but with figural scenes.

The sides of the piece of furniture are simply fielded and veneered with mirrored walnut.

The variety and quality of the marquetry is fascinating.
Whereas in other marquetry pieces there are often larger areas of wood which, through engravings, give the impression of consisting of individual pieces, in this chest of drawers we see that the work is actually composed of countless individual pieces of wood and veneer.
This can be seen well, for example, in the detail photo showing the two ladies playing cards. The craftsman over 200 years ago managed to give the skirts of the ladies a three-dimensionality by fire-shading and then assembling the veneer pieces.
I think this is quite an impressive achievement.

Condition:
Refurbished ready to live in and fit for everyday use. The drawers run cleanly, the locks work.

Price: This chest of drawers is no longer available. Chests of drawers of comparable quality and age are priced at around 6000,-€ to 8000,-€.