What is an ormolu chest of drawers?

It is a wooden storage cabinet embellished with cast and gilded bronze mounts, following continental design traditions. Most examples on the market take the form of French commodes with marble tops and patterned wood veneers.

How do I care for marble top commodes?

Wipe the stone surface with a soft, damp cloth and avoid acidic liquids that can etch the polish. Lift objects rather than dragging them across the stone. Dust the timber and bronze mounts gently with a dry cloth without using harsh commercial polishes.

Where were these pieces used originally?

These cabinets stood in high-status salons, formal bedrooms, and drawing rooms of European townhouses and country estates. They served to store linens, documents, and personal valuables while displaying the owner's taste. Their decorative backs and finished sides often allowed them to sit away from the wall in grand spaces.

How do I distinguish Louis XV from Louis XVI style?

Louis XV pieces feature asymmetrical curves, serpentine lines, and exuberant rococo scrollwork in the bronze mounts. The overall silhouette is fluid and swelling. Louis XVI furniture introduces straight tapering legs, symmetrical neoclassical geometry, and crisp architectural detailing inspired by antiquity.