What characterises a 19th-century French Louis XV Revival commode?

French Louis XV Revival commodes from the 19th century feature serpentine or bombe contours, intricate floral marquetry, and decorative ormolu mounts. They draw inspiration from 18th-century French rococo designs, combining cabinetmaking artistry with functional drawer storage.

Which materials are traditionally used in French marquetry commodes?

These pieces typically incorporate exotic timber veneers, such as kingwood, rosewood, or Goncalo Alves, laid over a solid timber framework. They are finished with hand-cast gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts and contoured marble tops.

How do you identify authentic 19th-century marquetry furniture?

Authentic 19th-century marquetry displays hand-cut timber veneers, natural wood grain variation, and cast metal mounts secured with period-appropriate fixing methods. Hand-cut dovetail drawer joints and minor irregularities in the casing further indicate period construction.

How can a French marquetry commode be styled in modern interiors?

A decorative French commode acts as a focal accent piece when placed in a hallway, bedroom, or reception room. Pairing it with contemporary artwork or neutral wall paint allows the detailed timber marquetry and brass mounts to stand out.

How should one clean and preserve antique marquetry and ormolu mounts?

Dust the timber surfaces regularly with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, avoiding harsh chemical polishes or water that could compromise delicate veneers. Ormolu mounts should be gently cleaned with a dry brush, while marble tops require immediate wiping of liquids to prevent staining.

for sale €3,452 $3,747

£2,950

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Goncalo Alves Furniture

Marble Top French Commode

Id #SA998793

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Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

Name: Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA998793
Price: 2950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a stunning antique French Gonçalo Alves and kingwood marquetry Louis Revival commode, circa 1880 in date.

This gorgeous commode features a serpentine Rouge Griotte marble top above three full width drawers for ample storage, and was inspired by the Louis XV style. Elaborately detailed, the commode features exquisite scrolling foliate marquetry complimented by exquisite gilded ormolu handles and mounts.

Complete with working locks and key.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 86 x Width 72 x Depth 42

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 10 inches x Width 2 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches

Gonçalo Alves is a hardwood (from the Portuguese name, Gonçalo Alves). It is sometimes referred to as tigerwood — a name that underscore the wood’s often dramatic, contrasting color scheme.

While the sapwood is very light in color, the heartwood is a sombre brown, with dark streaks that give it a unique look. The wood’s color deepens with exposure and age and even the plainer-looking wood has a natural luster.

Two species are usually listed as sources for gonçalo alves: Astronium fraxinifolium and Astronium graveolens, although other species in the genus may yield similar wood; the amount of striping that is present may vary.

In the high tropical forests of Central and South America, well-drained soils furnish nutrients for a variety of dense, durable hardwoods sought for maritime use, heavyconstruction, and furniture. The Spanish began harvesting in Latin American forests in the early 1500s to provide timber for boatbuilding and repair. By the early 1900s, however, steel ships had replaced wooden ones, and the interest in tropical forests by both Europeans and Americans shifted to appearance-grade woods for furniture.

Although history fails to provide us with a shopping list of species from either harvest period, it's probable that the wood we know today as goncalo alves has always been sought. That's because goncalo alves, considered one of the most beautiful of tropical woods, has a tough reputation, too. Strong and durable, it's used for construction in its homeland and secondarily for fine furniture. Woodworkers elsewhere treasure the wood for decorative items and veneer accents.

Rouge Griotte marble - is named after the griotte cherry because of its remarkable bright red colour. The more red the marble, the higher quality it is. When the marble contains many goniatites full of white calcite the marble is called “Partridge eye”.

The quarries, still active today, are in the Herault region and the name “Griotte from Italy” is a marketing label. Red Griotte was the favourite marble for Royal apartments in the 18th century, particularly for mantles, like the one in the office of Louis XIV in Versailles.

Our reference: A3307

Physical Dimensions

Height

86cm (33.86")

Width

72cm (28.35")

Depth

41cm (16.14")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this French Marquetry Ormolu Commode to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA998793

Dealers Internal Reference

A3307

Description

This is a stunning antique French Gonçalo Alves and kingwood marquetry Louis Revival commode, circa 1880 in date.

“

This gorgeous commode features a serpentine Rouge Griotte marble top above three full width drawers for ample storage, and was inspired by the Louis XV style.

Regent Antiques

Elaborately detailed, the commode features exquisite scrolling foliate marquetry complimented by exquisite gilded ormolu handles and mounts.

fig 1. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 1. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

Complete with working locks and key.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 86 x Width 72 x Depth 42

fig 2. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 2. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 10 inches x Width 2 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches

Gonçalo Alves is a hardwood (from the Portuguese name, Gonçalo Alves). It is sometimes referred to as tigerwood — a name that underscore the wood’s often dramatic, contrasting color scheme.

fig 3. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 3. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

While the sapwood is very light in color, the heartwood is a sombre brown, with dark streaks that give it a unique look. The wood’s color deepens with exposure and age and even the plainer-looking wood has a natural luster.

fig 4. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 4. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

Two species are usually listed as sources for gonçalo alves: Astronium fraxinifolium and Astronium graveolens, although other species in the genus may yield similar wood; the amount of striping that is present may vary.

fig 5. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 5. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

In the high tropical forests of Central and South America, well-drained soils furnish nutrients for a variety of dense, durable hardwoods sought for maritime use, heavyconstruction, and furniture. The Spanish began harvesting in Latin American forests in the early 1500s to provide timber for boatbuilding and repair. By the early 1900s, however, steel ships had replaced wooden ones, and the interest in tropical forests by both Europeans and Americans shifted to appearance-grade woods for furniture.

fig 6. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 6. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

Although history fails to provide us with a shopping list of species from either harvest period, it's probable that the wood we know today as goncalo alves has always been sought. That's because goncalo alves, considered one of the most beautiful of tropical woods, has a tough reputation, too. Strong and durable, it's used for construction in its homeland and secondarily for fine furniture. Woodworkers elsewhere treasure the wood for decorative items and veneer accents.

fig 7. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 7. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

Rouge Griotte marble - is named after the griotte cherry because of its remarkable bright red colour. The more red the marble, the higher quality it is. When the marble contains many goniatites full of white calcite the marble is called “Partridge eye”.

fig 8. A French Louis XV Revival style marquetry commode featuring floral timber inlays, gilt-bronze mounts, three drawers, and a contoured marble top. — fig 8. Antique French Louis Revival Gonçalo Alvest Marquetry Commode 19th Century

The quarries, still active today, are in the Herault region and the name “Griotte from Italy” is a marketing label. Red Griotte was the favourite marble for Royal apartments in the 18th century, particularly for mantles, like the one in the office of Louis XIV in Versailles.

Our reference: A3307