Marquetry Bedside Drawers
Marquetry bedside drawers bring patterned wood veneers and compact French styling to the bedroom.
Marquetry Bedside Drawers
Marquetry bedside drawers combine decorative wood patterns with practical bedside storage, appearing frequently as French commodes, cabinets, and chests. These small tables and chests provide enclosed drawer space while displaying intricate floral or geometric veneer work on their surfaces.
Most examples originate from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, spanning Victorian, Edwardian, and later revival periods. Buyers frequently encounter pairs designed to flank a bed, often featuring serpentine or bombe silhouettes influenced by Louis styles.
What varies in quality
The sophistication of the marquetry design and the variety of contrasting timbers determine the visual depth of the piece. More refined examples feature intricate floral compositions utilising multiple exotic woods rather than simple geometric repeats.
Structural execution also dictates standard, visible in the precision of the drawer dovetails, the snugness of the marble top fit, and the weight and chasing of the brass or ormolu mounts.
Listings feature walnut, mahogany, rosewood, kingwood, and satinwood, often accented with marble tops and brass or ormolu mounts.
Edwards and Roberts
The Marquetry Bedside Drawers Glossary
- Marquetry
- The art of applying decorative pieces of veneer to a structure to form designs. Artisans cut various coloured woods to create intricate pictures or patterns on the top and sides.
- Bombe
- A bulging, outward-curving swell on the sides and front of a chest of drawers or commode. This swelling profile requires advanced cabinetmaking skill.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze mounts used for decorative handles, feet, and edge guards. This metalwork accents the contours of French-style furniture.
- Kingwood
- A dense, heavy exotic timber featuring dark violet-brown grain patterns with lighter streaks. Cabinetmakers valued this wood for fine contrasting veneers.
- Sabot
- A metal shoe or mount fitted to the foot of a cabriole leg. This bronze or brass element protects the vulnerable wooden foot from wear.
Marquetry Bedside Drawers: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a bedside cabinet and a commode?
Bedside cabinets generally feature a cupboard door enclosing a shelf or small interior space next to the bed. Commodes usually provide a set of drawers and possess a more decorative, substantial presence.
While both share similar French revival styling and marquetry finishes, their internal storage configurations serve different bedroom requirements.
Are these drawers usually sold as pairs?
Many of these pieces were originally manufactured as matching pairs to flank a bed symmetrically. Surviving pairs remain highly sought after by collectors.
Single items also appear frequently, often functioning as standalone lamp tables or occasional pieces in smaller rooms.
How do I identify Louis XV style features?
Louis XV style pieces typically display gentle serpentine curves, cabriole legs, and asymmetrical floral marquetry. Ormolu mounts often trace the contours of the drawers and apron.
These designs avoid straight lines in favour of flowing, organic shapes derived from rococo inspirations.
What maintenance do marble-topped bedside tables require?
Marble tops simply need regular wiping with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and spills. Acidic liquids like citrus juice should be kept away from the polished stone surface.
The wooden base benefits from occasional waxing to nourish the veneer and maintain its natural sheen.