C.mauter, Large Neoclassical Chest Of Drawers With Attributes Of Science.

Rare and interesting model of a castle chest of drawers, of great width, this chest of drawers that can be defined under the term "English style" or even "chest of drawers with doors" had to find its place in a living room, of a half-moon shape in plan it is punctuated by two drawers in the center and in the corner of the doors which have the particularity of being glazed (period glass), the whole rests on 4 sheathed feet and is topped with a molded veined white marble. From the Louis XVI period and stamped 2 times C. Mauter for Conrad Mauter, this piece of furniture is built on a frame of satin-veneered oak, we note the great care taken in the production, which corresponds well to the know-how of his cabinetmaker who will be supplier to the Count of Artois. This display cabinet also features rich and interesting bronze ornamentation, reinforcing the neoclassical style of the piece of furniture with, in particular, glyphs, rows of pearls, laurel leaves, framing rods... all of these elements come from ancient architecture. We note above all the 4 finely chiseled bronze falls which adorn the top of each upright, presenting laurel branches on which are hung, mirrors and a snake (symbol of prudence but also an attribute of justice), a terrestrial globe, a book and a set square (attributes of science) held by trimmings in the form of knotted ribbons ending with tassels, in our research we have only found this model a few times, and each time on a rich model of Louis XVI period chest of drawers, - once on a Louis XVI half-moon chest of drawers stamped Louis Moreau sold on August 4, 2010 by the Kohn auction house in Cannes under lot number 246 and also presented in the "French furniture of the 18th century" by Pierre Kjellberg page 594. - once on a Louis XVI half-moon chest of drawers stamped André-Louis Gilbert, sold on July 5, 2013 by the Christie's auction house under lot number lot 19. Christie's auction house provides the following information on the falls: "Decorated with elaborate trophies, emblematic of applied science, incorporating a caduceus suspended from a ribbon, a globe, a set square and a book, are particularly noteworthy. These related mounts by André-Louis Gilbert (master 1777), among them a chest of drawers in the Frick Collection, New York, it is interesting to note that the same distinctive corner mounts also appear on chests of similar form and ornamentation by and attributed to Charles Topino (master 1773), and often retailed by the merchant cabinetmaker Léonard Boudin." This piece of furniture is presented to you in a very fine state of preservation, with its refinishing showing off the piece to its best advantage. Our point of view: this piece of furniture is interesting because of its dimensions, its stamp of Conrad Mauter who is a renowned cabinetmaker of the end of the 18th century and who will be supplier of the Count of Artois and will furnish many castles and princely residences, the fact that it is veneered with satin and not in mahogany as is generally the case, its rich bronze ornamentation which is original with period gilding, as well as the rarity of the model with glazed side doors with the glass still original make this piece of furniture a remarkable piece that will satisfy any neoclassical lover. Dimensions on marble: Width: 161 cm Height: 91 cm Depth: 58 cm