Circa 1795 France

A Matched Pair of Late 18th Century Bedside Commodes

£3,500

SOLD

Height 30 3/4 inches (78.10 cm)
Width 23 1/2 inches (59.69 cm)
Depth 11 3/4 inches (29.84 cm)

Dimensions of second commode:

Height of second commode: 30 3/4 inches (78.1 cm)
Width of second commode: 22 inches (56 cm)
Depth of second commode: 12 1/2 inches (32 cm)

A matched pair of Directoire Period walnut commodes, of demi-lune form, having inset marble tops, with pilasters and tambour fronts and standing on shaped tapering square legs. The two commodes vary very slightly in their dimensions as described above.

Bedside commodes such as these were originally made for night time convenience. These particular commodes were made in the transitional Directoire (1789-1804) Period (between the reign of Louis XVI and the Empire). This style was an off-shoot of the preceding Revolution and the subsequent condemnation of the luxury and decadence that was prevalent during the reign of Louis XVI. Furniture now reflected a more restrained manner of living and solid French timbers such as walnut, elm, fruitwood and beech were typically employed in construction by the cabinet makers of the day.

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