Commode

The transition between the reigns of the French kings Louis XIV (1643–1715) and Louis XV (1715–1774) and between the styles named after them, consisted of the regency of Philip of Orleans (1715–1723), not just from the standpoint of politics, but from that of style also. The Regence style can be followed almost until the mid-18th century. The slightly ponderous, baroque forms of Louis XIV furniture became lighter, curving convex and concave surfaces contrasting with one another were characteristic, and furniture for new purposes appeared, along with new forms. As well as cabinetmakers producing furniture for everyday use (menuisier), cabinetmakers making pieces on a high artistic level that were richly inlaid and decorated with mountings received ever more important tasks (ebeniste). Working in Paris between 1710 and 1774, the Criaerd family was a family of Flemish artist-cabinetmakers.

This commode, marked CRIAER, was made by Antoine (active: second quarter of the 18th century). His master’s mark and the mark of the Paris cabinetmakers’ guild the JME (Juree Maitres Ebenistes) that was likewise put on (it was compulsory from 1742/1743) can be found at the front below the commode’s marble top and also on the back, to the left. In its short-legged, three-drawer construction, Criaerd’s commode is a piece still reminiscent of the Regence. At the same time, its mode of decoration is already emphatically rococo, namely the front panels of its drawers are uniformly framed by shell-shaped bronze mountings. Within these frames there appears layered creeper with leaves arranged in such a way that the two sides are symmetrical. The very same rosewood flowering creeper fills out the likewise convex side-panels also.