A Large 19th Century Carved Oak Commode From France

A beautiful example of a 19th-century French chest of drawers, this commode is over 3 1/2 feet tall and nearly 6 feet wide (69 13/4 inches). It features a total of five drawers arranged in three tiers beneath a gently overhanging top with quarter-round molding. The original finish of the oak (hand-carved in the 1800s) has been removed more recently, allowing stunning wood grains and construction joineries to become visible, adding to the character.

All three tiers of the drawers have been carved with leaf and shell motifs. The upper tier consists of two half-drawers, both adorned with stacked foliate volutes that emanate from a pair of scalloped shells, encompassing bronze leaf margent handles. In between the two drawers is a small, handle less drawer, embellished with a gadrooned leaf cartouche over a textured background.

The two tiers below (which are full-size drawers) have identical carvings, including the center cartouche, which is part of the drawer fronts and not a hidden drawer. A smaller version of this cartouche can be seen on the highly sinuous apron, positioned between a pair of long, flowing curled leaves. Additional carvings include a rosette on the front façade beneath the top, scalloped shells on the side aprons, and margents consisting of both shells and leaves. Also of note are the sides, which are deeply recessed rectangular panels surrounded by several layers of thin molding. Our stately carved oak commode would make quite a statement in a bedroom, entry hall, or living room.