Specification ENTCHE9035 · SIMPLE
Specifications
| Dimensions | Width 90 cm / Depth 50 cm / Height 90 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4 kg |
| Materials | Solid Wood, Brass |
| Country of Origin | Egypt |
| Design Style | Louis XV Rococo |
| Ideal Placement | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Reception, Library |
| Delivery Time | 30-45 Days |
| Handcrafted | Yes — by Egyptian artisans |
| Customizable | Yes — contact us for custom orders |
Description
Design & Inspiration
A commode like this one commands a room without raising its voice. The dramatically swelled bombé silhouette — swelling outward on all three planes simultaneously — was one of the great formal innovations of the Louis XV period, a shape that seems almost to breathe. Faithfully reproduced in the tradition of the finest Parisian ébénisterie of the 1740s–1760s, this three-drawer commode draws from the design vocabulary of masters like Gaudreaux and Joubert: a piece meant to be placed against a silk-hung wall, lit by candlelight, and admired for what it is — furniture elevated to the level of painting.
Materials & Craftsmanship
The ground veneers are laid in a kingwood-style diagonal cross-banding pattern that follows the contour of the swelling form, a technique requiring the veneer leaves to be cut and fitted individually to the curved carcass — no two strips the same width. Over this ground, the marquetry panels depict a central floral urn composition on the main drawer face, flanked by spiraling acanthus-and-flower scrollwork that spills across the drawer fronts and apron with choreographed naturalism. The marquetry is executed in multiple wood species — lighter sycamore, fruitwood, and rosewood-toned inlays against the deep mahogany ground — creating tonal depth that shifts as the light changes across the surface. The carcass is built from Romanian solid redwood (under 10% humidity), ensuring dimensional stability through seasonal changes. The finish is a hand-applied French polish, producing the warm, semi-reflective depth characteristic of 18th-century ébénisterie rather than the hard shine of modern lacquer.
Dimensions & Details
The commode carries three drawers — two full-width lower drawers and a shallower upper drawer — each fronted with its own marquetry composition that reads as a continuous tableau across the piece. The drawer interiors are clean-finished. The top is dressed in a shaped slab of variegated Breche d'Alep-style marble, its warm beige and rust veining in natural dialogue with the warm tones of the wood below. Gilt bronze mounts — cast in the Rococo vocabulary of foliate C-scrolls and acanthus sprays — frame the drawer keyhole escutcheons, the corner angles, and the apron base, each piece hand-chased to reveal the modelling beneath the gilding. The cabriole legs, terminating in cast gilt bronze sabots, complete the silhouette with the characteristic outward splay of the Louis XV commode form.
Handcrafted in Egypt
This commode is produced entirely by hand in Brass & Wood's Egyptian workshops, where carpenters and marqueteurs trained in the European cabinetmaking tradition work each piece through every stage — from carcass joinery and veneer cutting to marquetry assembly, French polish application, and mount fitting. The result is not a reproduction in the commercial sense — it is a considered remaking of a specific historical form, piece by piece, as the original would have been made. Customization of marble color, brass finish, and upholstery is available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials is this commode made from?
The carcass is Romanian solid redwood (under 10% humidity). The decorative veneers and marquetry are composed of multiple contrasting wood species applied over the solid core. The top is natural variegated marble. Hardware mounts are cast brass with a gold finish, hand-chased. All materials are selected for longevity and visual fidelity to the 18th-century original.
Is assembly required?
Only minimal assembly is required — the marble top is fitted and secured on delivery. The commode itself arrives fully assembled and finished.
Can this commode be customized?
Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of marble top color, brass mount finish (gold, antique gold, or bronze), and overall dimensions on request. Lead time for customized pieces is confirmed at order.
