Louis XV Parquetry Commode Sauteuse

A fine mid 18th century Louis XV Bombe 'Commode Sauteuse' with fine quality padouk, tulipwood, laburnum, and Kingwood parquetry with over two drawers sans travers, all sides bombe, raised on  shaped legs and supporting its exceptional original antique marble.
France, circa 1760

Height: 88 cms (34.6 ins)
Width: 131 cms (51.5 ins)
Depth: 66 cms (26 ins)

A commode sauteuse (literally “jumping commode”) refers to an 18th‑century French chest of drawers distinguished by its two long drawers elegantly perched on tall, slender legs—typically cabriole in shape. The effect is visually light and graceful, as if the body of the commode is rising or “jumping,” a playful allusion derived from the French sauter (“to jump”)

In 18th-century French furniture, sans travers (literally “without a crossbar”) describes a commode or chest of drawers whose design dispenses with the usual horizontal crosspiece separating the drawers. This construction gives the façade a smoother, uninterrupted surface, allowing the flowing lines of marquetry or veneer to run seamlessly across the entire front. Particularly favoured in the Louis XV period, the sans travers form heightened the elegance and fluidity of bombe or serpentine commodes, while also showcasing the virtuosity of the ébéniste in achieving both refined aesthetics and structural stability without the conventional framework.

The Louis XV period (c.1723–1774) marked the height of the Rococo style in French furniture, characterised by graceful curves, asymmetry, and a lightness that contrasted with the grandeur of Louis XIV. Commodes, console tables, and seating were designed with flowing, serpentine lines, cabriole legs, and elaborate gilt-bronze mounts, often veneered with exotic woods such as kingwood, tulipwood, and bois de violette in intricate marquetry. Ornament drew inspiration from nature—shells, flowers, foliage, and rocaille motifs—imbuing interiors with elegance and charm. Celebrated ébénistes and menuisiers, including Cressent, Oeben, and Boulle’s successors, refined the art of cabinetry, producing works that embodied both technical mastery and decorative exuberance, making the Louis XV style synonymous with refinement and luxury in 18th-century France.