Commode
ca.1700 - 1720 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Commodes, as chests-of-drawers were known in France, were first made in about 1700 and rapidly became the most fashionable form of furniture in France, ousting the cabinets-on-stands that had held that place in the late 17th century.
This elegant commode has a fashionable double-curved profile to the front, called ‘arc en arbalette’ or ‘in the form of a crossbow’. It is veneered in ebony, richly inlaid with marquetry showing motifs taken from a variety of engravings – flowers, vases and formal scrollwork. It was surely made in a Parisian workshop but we know little of its history. In the early 19th century it formed part of the furnishing of the Château de Montargis, to the south of Paris, from where it was bought, with four other pieces, by the English woman who finally bequeathed it to the Museum, but it is unlikely that it was made for that building.
This elegant commode has a fashionable double-curved profile to the front, called ‘arc en arbalette’ or ‘in the form of a crossbow’. It is veneered in ebony, richly inlaid with marquetry showing motifs taken from a variety of engravings – flowers, vases and formal scrollwork. It was surely made in a Parisian workshop but we know little of its history. In the early 19th century it formed part of the furnishing of the Château de Montargis, to the south of Paris, from where it was bought, with four other pieces, by the English woman who finally bequeathed it to the Museum, but it is unlikely that it was made for that building.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 7 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | A commode or chest of drawers with double curved front, of the form described as arc en arbalette (crossbow shaped), with outset front corner stiles above hoof feet in gilt brass. The front appears to show eight drawer fronts but these function as three longer drawers below two narrower drawers. The commode, including its top, is veneered in ebony on softwood, inlaid with marquetry of flowers and strapwork in a variety of woods, with ivory highlights and brass stringing. |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Miss Margaret Coutte Trotter |
| Object history | By repute part of the furnishings of the Château de Montargis in 1832. Previous history undocumented. Purchased, together with four other pieces of furniture (1439 to 1443-1882) by Miss Margaret Coutts Trotter (1809-1882), by whom bequeathed to the Museum in 1882. Montargis was owned by Philippe I, duc d'Orléans (1640-1701). The pieces may have been purchased for one of his residences but this is not documented. |
| Historical context | This is part of a set of five pieces of marquetry furniture, probably made in Paris ca. 1700. It was purchased from the Château de Montargis in the early 19th century, but it is unlikely that this sophisticated, Paris-made furniture was originally destined for that rather remote chateau. |
| Association | |
| Summary | Commodes, as chests-of-drawers were known in France, were first made in about 1700 and rapidly became the most fashionable form of furniture in France, ousting the cabinets-on-stands that had held that place in the late 17th century. This elegant commode has a fashionable double-curved profile to the front, called ‘arc en arbalette’ or ‘in the form of a crossbow’. It is veneered in ebony, richly inlaid with marquetry showing motifs taken from a variety of engravings – flowers, vases and formal scrollwork. It was surely made in a Parisian workshop but we know little of its history. In the early 19th century it formed part of the furnishing of the Château de Montargis, to the south of Paris, from where it was bought, with four other pieces, by the English woman who finally bequeathed it to the Museum, but it is unlikely that it was made for that building. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1442:1 to 2-1882 |
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| Record created | April 14, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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