What is a bombe chest?

A bombe chest is a storage piece featuring sides and fronts that bulge outward in a sweeping, convex curve. These forms originated in France during the eighteenth century. Craftsmen veneered these curved frames in exotic timbers like kingwood and walnut, often finishing them with marble tops and cast ormolu mounts.

How do I style a kingwood commode?

A kingwood commode works well as a focal point in a hallway, living room or bedroom where its rich timber grain and mounts can be appreciated. Pairing it with simple walls allows the curved silhouette to stand out. The marble top provides a durable surface for lamps, mirrors or decorative objects without risking the polished timber beneath.

Are these chests eighteenth century?

Pieces originate from various periods, spanning from the seventeen-fifties through nineteenth-century revivals up to the nineteen-thirties. Eighteenth-century examples feature period construction and authentic age patination. Revival pieces from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries emulate these earlier Louis styles using traditional veneering and casting techniques.

Kingwood is a dense, hard tropical timber known for its dark brown colouring and distinct golden or violet veining. It was a favoured material for high-end French cabinetmakers. Due to its density, artisans sliced it into fine veneers to pattern the curved surfaces of commodes and cabinets.