18th-Century Italian Louis XV- Louis XVI Walnut Serpentine Chest with Burl Top, c.1770

Exceptional small commode with a beautifully undulating serpentine front, veneered in warm walnut and fruitwood with elegant contrast inlay. The form is compact yet sculptural, with three drawers that follow the soft, rhythmic curve of the façade. Each drawer retains its original key escutcheon, and the interior offers practical storage while maintaining a light visual presence.
The legs are shaped in the truncated-pyramid form typical of the transitional years between Louis XV and Louis XVI, when the voluptuous movement of the Rococo was beginning to give way to the cleaner, more architectural lines of early Neoclassicism. Beneath the top drawer is a discreet pull-out writing slide — a refined and highly functional detail found only in well-made pieces of this period.
The top is finished in a striking walnut burl, its grain unfolding like ink in water — rich, organic, and visually arresting. The surface has been restored by hand with natural shellac, preserving depth and luster without losing the authenticity of age.
Small in scale but exquisite in craftsmanship, this commode brings warmth, elegance, and a sense of collected taste to a bedroom, entryway, study, or sitting room. A versatile and distinguished piece.
Italian manufacture, transitional Louis XV / Louis XVI period, circa 1770.
Dimensions: 41.5"W x 23.5"D x 33"H

Place of Origin: Italy
Period: 18th Century
Dimensions: 41.5"W x 23.5"D x 33"H

Inventory Number: AB317
Location: JAA

Price: $ 7950