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This French Directoire commode is a classic type of chest of drawers that was popular in France during the late (post ancien regime) 18th century. The French Directoire period refers to a period of time in France between 1795 and 1799, post Louis XVI and pre Empire when the country was transitioning from the Revolutionary period to the Napoleonic period.
This French Directoire commode is a late 18th-century piece made entirely of oak with exclusive crotch mahogany veneers, a highly prized wood with a distinctive grain pattern. It has three graduated long drawers (with original brass handles), which would have been used to store clothes or other household items. The top drawer is divided into three sections. The brass fluted pilasters and 3/4 columns to the front add a decorative contrasting element to the front and sides of the commode.
The commode also features a pierced gallery, which is a decorative railing or border that runs along the top of the chest of drawers. This would have been used to display decorative objects or to keep items from falling off the top of the commode.
Finally, the commode has an original Carrara marble top, which is a type of white marble that comes from the Carrara region of Italy. This would have been a highly sought-after feature, as marble was a luxury material that was expensive to transport and work with. The commode is raised on turned legs with turned brass feet.
Overall, the commode is a beautiful example of French Directoire furniture, with its use of high-quality materials and decorative elements that are typical of the period.
This commode carcass is made of oak and is constructed using dowels and dovetail joints.
Dowels are wooden pins that are used to hold two pieces of wood together. They are inserted into pre-drilled holes in one piece of wood and then hammered into corresponding holes in the other piece of wood. Dovetail joints, on the other hand, are interlocking joints that are used to join two pieces of wood at right angles to each other. They are often used in high-quality furniture because they are strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Overall, the use of dowels and dovetail joints in the construction of the commode reveals that it is a well-made piece of furniture that is designed to last for many years. The use of oak wood is also ideal, as oak is a hard and durable wood that is often used in high-quality furniture construction.
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Stock Number: 25286
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