Antique Commodes & Chests

Dimensions: 34 ⅝” H x 49 ⅜” W x 23 ¼” D

An extraordinary French commode from the 18th century, Louis XV in style, decorated with impressive marquetry techniques that creates movement and definition over the top and drawers. The commode surface is inlaid in a geometric pattern leading inward to the center, which has developed a slight dip over time so please see the image gallery for more information. The case is composed of three drawers of geometric marquetry alternating light/dark designs to outline three raised panels which showcase the period hardware of laurel-wreath ring pulls and ornate escutcheons over the keyholes. Note that no key is present.
The sides of the case are paneled with the more iconic Louis XV calligraphic curves, themes which are replicated in the swells of the apron to the short cabriole feet so from every perspective one can admire the visionary intentions of the maker nearly three centuries later. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax, this commode is ready to be enjoyed in your interior. Be sure to view the detailed images to see the current condition.

Dimensions: 33 ¾” H x 49 ¾” W x 22 ⅝” D

A grand, solid walnut commode from 19th century France, aligning with the Louis XVI taste, it is a multipurpose storage piece scaled to use practically anywhere around the home. The Saint Anne marble top (which may not be original to the case but is flush with the proportions) exhibits the characteristic grayscale veining etched with fine scratches and carved with a shallow groove around the perimeter. Note there is an area of loss to the stone toward the back left, see the image gallery for more information. Modest in construction, the case of three drawers use brass bail pull hardware which lends functional ornamentation to the piece, complemented by small keyhole escutcheons leaving great swathes of the wood to be appreciated for the color and grain. Tapering block feet elevate the case from the floor. Cleaned, tightened, and polished with a French paste wax this antique commode is ready to join your interior. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition.

Dimensions: 33 ⅞” H x 42 ¼” W x 20 ¾” D

A French Empire three-drawer commode from the 19th century with its original marble top. A more recent artistic update by a Caribbean-blue painted finish complements the gilt bronze accents, for exciting contrasts in textures and tones. The top surface of dark, nearly black stone is dotted with the fossilized remains of ancient marine animals, among the curious patterns of marbleization. Note that the stone displays the expected patina of scratches and other signs of the commode’s historic age so please view the image gallery for more details. A pair of gilt bronze caryatid busts top the inverted pilasters which flank the stack of three, wide drawers that open by brass lion ring pulls. Escutcheons on each drawer front are purely decorative, no key is present, but their ornate wing motifs underscore the mythical and fantastic inspiration the Empire taste is known for. Contrasting slate blue paint has been applied as a decorative border around the drawer hardware and defines the pilasters further, which draws the eye downward to the wonderful paw feet at the floor. The matte paint remains mostly smooth with some areas of mottled craquelure. Cleaned and tightened, this antique is ready for your interior. Be sure to see the detailed images to see the current condition of this unique painted chest of drawers.

Dimensions: 57 ⅝” H x 23 ¾” W x 13 ¾” D

French 19th century Directoire style fruitwood chest of drawers, appearing to be a semainier except with six drawers instead of the requisite seven. Below the modest wood top and rounded corners is a stack of six drawers inlaid with ebonized diamond shapes for graphic contrast to the glowing fruitwood. Note the bottom drawer is actually double-height with two diamonds to blend quietly in with the upper five. Sometimes referred to as a lingerie chest, the height and narrow proportions would elegantly host the clothing or personal effects of nearly anyone–suiting a range of transitional decorating tastes. All drawers glide with ease using simple brass ring pulls to open, no key is present to operate the locks. Short, cabriole legs lift the case from the floor. Cleaned, tightened, and polished with a French paste wax–ready for your interior. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition.

Dimensions: 49” H x 28 ¼” W x 16 ¼” D

French 19th century Louis XVI-style walnut chest of drawers, almost a semainier except with six drawers instead of the requisite seven. Sometimes referred to as a lingerie chest, the height and narrow proportions would elegantly host the clothing or personal effects of nearly anyone suiting a range of transitional decorating tastes. Below the modest wood top and turreted corners is a stack of six paneled drawers using simple bail pulls to open and are free of any locks. Fluted pilasters accentuating the height terminate at the floor in turned, tapering feet. Cleaned, tightened, and polished with a French paste wax–ready for your interior. Please view the detailed images to see more.

Dimensions: 55 ⅞” H x 28 ⅞” W x 15 ½” D

French mahogany vintage 20th century semainier–crafted in the Louis XVI style and quality–this Neoclassical dresser offers seven drawers (one for each day of the week) outlined in brass and crowned with a marble top. The top surface of smoky gray marble has been finished with turreted front corners, traced with dark veining almost hiding a thin line from a previous repair. Solid mahogany wrapping the exterior of the case has been cleaned and polished with a French paste wax to maintain its luster, glistening in the light like caramel and complemented by brass hardware. Each drawer is fitted with a pair of brass bail pulls and diamond shaped escutcheons over working locks (one key included to share among them). Fluted, half-round pilasters on the sides descend to turned feet capped with brass sabots. Please view the detailed images to see more.

Dimensions: 32 ¾” H x 47 ¾” W x 21” D

A Louis XVI style, marble-topped commode from France (late 19th century) in a bold, ebonized finish that could suit a wide range of decorating tastes today. The St. Anne marble is animated by ribbons of light and dark gray veining, shaped at the front in turreted corners. Repoussé brass panels in ribbed texture flank the top row of three small drawers where the center drawer retains a working lock & key and the other two use ring pulls to operate. Wonderfully detailed Louis XVI hardware of ring pulls and escutcheons are framed by polished brass trim on all the drawer fronts extending to the side panels. Below are two wide drawers for clothing or household items however only the middle drawer lock is operational. Cleaned, tightened, and polished with a French paste wax this antique commode is ready for your interior. Please view the detailed images to see more. One key included.

Dimensions: 32” H x 49” W x 21 ⅝” D

A gorgeous Louis XVI style, marble-topped walnut commode from France (late 19th century) with transitional details that could suit a wide range of decorating tastes today. The dark stone top exhibits a random sprinkling of tiny fossils among constellations of other minerals, shaped at the front in turreted corners. Repoussé brass panels like epaulettes mark the upper third of the front legs with fluted carvings to emphasize the linear qualities of this handsome case piece. Each of the three drawers are embellished with polished brass trim around the paneling and diamond escutcheons over the keyholes, however no key is present. This piece would make a striking dresser for clothing as well as household linens: all three drawers glide easily using brass bail handles of angular profile. Cleaned, tightened, and polished with a French paste wax this antique commode is ready for your interior. Please view the detailed images as the left side of the case shows a previous repair.

Dimensions: 61 ½” H x 38 ⅝” W x 21” D

Early 20th century Dutch Empire-style mahogany tall chest of six drawers featuring Neoclassical elements with Art Deco geometry. A pierced brass gallery wraps the sides and partially the front, metallic details that are repeated on the drawer fronts as slivers of inlaid brass pinstripes and escutcheons. Cast bronze caryatid busts to the left and right are accented with parcel gilt to underscore the Egyptian references; they are mounted atop tapering pilasters–also inlaid with brass–that end in tiny replicas of human feet in cast bronze at the bottom drawer. A flamed effect from bookmatched mahogany calls attention to the luminous wood grain in striated caramel tones that animate the drawer fronts. Each drawer is fitted with a pair of drop brass bail pulls to open; the escutcheons are purely decorative in the absence of a key to operate the locks. The case is supported by turned legs on little brass knob feet. Cleaned and professionally refinished to restore the wood back to its natural lustre, please view the detailed images to see the current condition.

Dimensions: 56 ⅛” H x 36 ¾” W x 18 ¼” D

A 19th century French Empire mahogany semainier featuring artful Neoclassical hardware. Hand-crafted in France circa 1810, this semainier is fitted with seven drawers to provide a drawer of clothing or lingerie for every day of the week. A beautiful piece of subtly veined white marble sits atop this case piece’s rectilinear designed, architectural body inspired by ancient Greek and Roman concepts. The hidden frieze drawer at the top sits below bold molding and is adorned with a large and lustrous brass winged Neoclassical figure in its center. Beneath (and flanked by finely turned columns with etched brass capitals and bases) are the remaining six drawers that open easily and have working locks. One key is present. Each of the six drawers has sizable floral and foliate escutcheons matching cast brass drawer pulls that feature gorgeous relief florals and grapes. The solid body is finished out with a plinth base and sturdy turreted feet. This elegant semainier is an excellent way to provide lots of storage without taking up much floor space, and it provides it with style. Be sure to view all the images to get a closer look at the details.