Empire Chest of Drawers Mahogany Italy XIX Century

Empire Chest of Drawers Mahogany Italy XIX Century - Italy, first quarter of the nineteenth century

Features

Italy, first quarter of the nineteenth century

Style: Empire (1804-1815)

Age: 19th Century / 1801 - 1900

Origin: Toscana, Italy

Main essence: Mahogany , Poplar

Material: Gilded Bronze , Gilded Wood , Carved Wood , Lacquered Wood

Description

Tuscan Empire chest of drawers veneered in mahogany, Italy, first quarter of the 19th century. Three drawers on the front of which the first protrudes, column uprights in the round with carved and gilded capitals and dark green lacquered shaft, pine cone feet with gilded leaf carving. Handles and escutcheons in gilded bronze finely chiseled with floral motif and laurel wreath. Poplar interior. Floor replaced.

Product Condition:
Product that due to age and wear requires restoration and resumption of polishing.

Dimensions (cm):
Height: 94
Width: 124
Depth: 61

Additional Information

Style: Empire (1804-1815)

Decorative style of the furniture that is affirmed under the Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte, that is, between 1799, the year of his election as consul, and 1815, the year of his definitive defeat.
It has many elements of continuity with the previous Direttorio style, in the more general Neoclassical climate, which derived from the study of classical antiquity the forms and models to be inspired in the creation of furniture.
The peculiar feature of this style is a greater grandeur and courtesy of the furnishings, which had to convey the grandeur of the French nation to the world, hence the name Empire style.
The furniture is characterized by straight, majestic and massive lines, adorned with motifs dear to Napoleon such as bees, eagles, large Ns surrounded by laurel, and, after the Egyptian campaign, many elements taken from Egyptian art.
He prefers the flat bronze decorations, often gilded, to the refined carvings of previous years.
The typical essence of Empire furniture is mahogany.
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Age: 19th Century / 1801 - 1900

19th Century / 1801 - 1900

Main essence:

Mahogany

It is one of the most precious and sought-after woods in cabinet making. It was discovered in Central America around 1600 and began to be imported to England in the 1700s. Much appreciated for its hardness and indestructibility, it became widespread following the blocking of walnut exports from France in 1720 and the consequent elimination of English import duties on mahogany from the colonies in America and India. The most valuable version comes from Cuba, but it became very expensive. At the end of the 18th century it began to be used also in France in Louis XVI, Directory and Empire furniture, its diffusion declined starting from when Napoleon, in 1810, forbade its import. It was generally used in the manufacture of elegant furniture, due to its characteristics and beautiful grain.

Poplar

Essence considered "poor", it is a white wood, with yellowish or greyish shades, light and tender, which is easily damaged. It is used for rustic furniture or in the construction of furniture. The most valuable use it has had in the history of furniture is in Germany, in the 19th century, for veneers and inlays in the Biedermeier period.