French burr walnut and thuya-burr chest, 17th century, on a barley-twist stand

Description

This 17th-century French chest combines burr walnut and thuya-burr veneer with an original stand in moulded and carved walnut. Its slightly domed lid, front and sides are framed by marquetry stringing in light-coloured wood. The cut and chased bronze fittings are retained, notably the escutcheon and the side mounts. The apron of the supporting table opens with a front drawer, whose edge is rhythmically punctuated by a frieze of inlaid elements alternating bone and ebonized-wood plaques. The whole rests on six barley-twist columns joined by a stretcher with ball-shaped feet. The interior of the chest and drawer is lined with printed paper bearing repetitive geometric motifs.