Régence Rococo Bombé Commode — Ebonized Floral Marquetry with Gilt Bronze Mounts & Brown Marble Top

Design & Inspiration

There is a moment, standing before this commode, when the room seems to recede and the piece itself steps forward. The swelling bombé silhouette — curving outward at the drawer fronts and pulling in at the waist before opening again into splayed cabriole legs capped in gilt bronze sabots — creates a kind of controlled drama that only the Régence period (1715–1730) knew how to achieve. This is the transitional moment between the heavy grandeur of Louis XIV Baroque and the freer asymmetric play of full Rococo: disciplined enough to hold a room, animated enough to feel alive. Faithfully reproduced in the tradition of the great Parisian ébénistes who worked in the workshops of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, this commode draws from the design vocabulary of the early 18th century at the height of its ambition.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The drawer fronts and side panels are laid with a ground of deep ebonized wood — a visual device the period used to make the marquetry read as if lit from within. Against this dark field, hand-cut floral marquetry in warm fruitwood tones traces scrolling acanthus stems, blooming roses, tulips, and pendant flower chains that cascade across both drawers and continue uninterrupted across the sides. The movement is continuous: a garden in motion, never static. The case is framed with diagonal kingwood crossbanding — its tight, straight grain striping the top rails and stiles in a warm reddish-brown that offsets the ebonized panels. At each corner, cast gilt bronze mounts of the highest specification: an escutcheon-capped figure mount at the upper corners, a scrolling acanthus bracket mount at the foot, dissolving into the cabriole leg. The drawer pulls appear to have been removed in favor of the escutcheon mounts serving a dual decorative function. Surmounting everything, a slab of brown-veined marble — its ochre, white, and deep umber tones warming what might otherwise read as a formal composition.

Dimensions & Details

This two-drawer bombé commode is built on Romanian solid redwood (under 10% humidity) for structural integrity and dimensional stability in varying climates. The construction employs traditional case joinery, with drawer runners fitted to the interior carcass. The marquetry is hand-applied wood veneer work, cut and fitted by skilled craftsmen. The marble top sits proud of the case, its edge projecting slightly to cast a characteristic shadow line — a proportion deliberately maintained from period originals. Full dimensions are available on request; custom sizing is offered for bespoke commissions.

Handcrafted in Egypt

Every commode produced by Brass & Wood is assembled, finished, and quality-checked by hand in Egypt, where a community of craftsmen has sustained European furniture-making traditions for generations. The ebonizing is applied by hand, the marquetry cut individually, and the gilt bronze mounts cast and hand-chased before fitting. This is not a production-line piece — it is a faithful reproduction that requires weeks of skilled labour before it leaves the workshop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this commode made from?

The carcass is built from Romanian solid redwood (under 10% humidity). The decorative surfaces feature ebonized wood panels with hand-cut floral wood marquetry in contrasting fruitwood tones, diagonal kingwood crossbanding, cast gilt brass mounts, and a genuine brown-veined marble top slab.

Is assembly required?

Minimal assembly is required — primarily securing the marble top and fitting the drawer pulls if applicable. Full instructions are provided. Professional placement is recommended given the weight of the marble top.

Can this commode be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of marble color, brass finish tone (gold, antique gold, bronze), marquetry pattern variations, and overall dimensions for bespoke commissions. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.