Louis XV Parquetry Drawers
These louis xv parquetry drawers bring together serpentine forms, rich timbers, and decorative mounts from eighteenth-century France and its later revivals.
Louis XV Parquetry Drawers
When searching for louis xv parquetry drawers, you encounter pieces designed primarily for storage, ranging from bedside cabinets and commodes to large chests of drawers and bureaux.
The selection spans genuine eighteenth-century examples alongside nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century revival pieces made in the French taste.
Commodes and bedside tables dominate the selection, often featuring shaped fronts and fitted marble tops.
Materials and Construction
Cabinet makers built these pieces using structural carcases of walnut, kingwood, rosewood, and cherrywood, overlaid with geometric parquetry patterns.
Ormolu, gilt bronze, and brass mounts accent the corners, handles, and feet, complementing the natural grain of the timber.
Heavy marble slabs in white, grey, or variegated tones finish the tops of commodes and bedside cabinets.
Listings span the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries, featuring walnut, kingwood, rosewood, and marble.
Assessing the Pieces
The precision of the parquetry inlay separates standard production from finer examples, particularly where wood grains meet along curved serpentine lines.
The weight, crispness of chisel work, and fire-gilding of the ormolu mounts indicate the workshop standard.
Originality of the marble top and the survival of matching mounts dictate the integrity of the piece.
Victor Raulin
The Louis XV Parquetry Drawers Glossary
- Parquetry
- Geometric wood inlay forming patterns across drawer fronts and sides. This technique uses contrasting timbers to create visual depth.
- Ormolu
- Gilt bronze mounts applied to furniture for decoration and protection. The technique involves coating bronze in a gold amalgam.
- Bombe
- A swelling, outward-curved contour characteristic of eighteenth-century case furniture. This profile demands advanced woodworking skill.
- Commode
- A low chest of drawers designed for domestic storage. These pieces frequently feature marble tops and ornate mounts.
- Serpentine
- A line curved in a continuous wave, convex at the centre and concave at the ends. It defines the characteristic shape of drawer fronts.
Louis XV Parquetry Drawers: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these drawers suitable for everyday bedroom use?
These cabinets provide practical storage for modern homes while maintaining their decorative presence in a room.
Their proportions accommodate standard clothing or bedside items depending on whether you choose a large commode or a small bedside table.
How do I distinguish eighteenth-century pieces from later revivals?
Eighteenth-century examples show construction methods, timber shrinkage, and hand-cut joints consistent with their period.
Nineteenth and twentieth-century revival pieces display machine-standard precision and specific revival styling traits.
How should I care for the marble tops?
Marble requires gentle cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap to protect the polished surface from acidic spills.
Avoid harsh chemical cleaners that can etch or dull the natural stone.
What maintenance do the wood surfaces need?
Apply traditional beeswax sparingly to nourish the timber and maintain the natural lustre of the parquetry.
Keep pieces away from direct heat sources to prevent timber movement and cracking.