Chest of Drawers (Commode)

This commode features ornate inlaid-wood floral designs and crisp gilded-bronze mounts. These adornments are the work of celebrated cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener, who was appointed ébéniste ordinaire du roi (cabinetmaker to the king) under Louis XVI. Riesener’s inlaid veneers include many types of wood, which he often enhanced with stains to create the impression of realistically painted flowers. These colors have faded over time, but the intricate inlaid composition remains.