Splendid chest of drawers in the Louis XVI style, modelled after a chest of drawers by Jean - Henri Riesener

Produced by E. Kahn & Cie. in Paris circa 1910/20. Made in hardwood and softwood, of a splayed half-ellipsoid form, with marquetry latticework in mahogany and further fine woods, with two “sans traverse” drawers with floral marquetry on a trapezoid panel, large lavish bronze mounts on the angles and sides depicting the virtues of courage, strength, prudence and moderation, also with festoons and putti. The back of some of the mounts marked KAHN. The piece has 1 door on each side with compartments, and with a later marble top. Ca. 97 x 201 x 79 cm. The bronze rosette in the centre bottom is replaced. In restored condition. (DOC)

This chest of drawers is a copy of the much-admired original "La Commode Commandée Pour La Chambre de Louis XVI à Versailles", produced by Jean - Henri Riesener (1734 - 1806) in 1775 for King Louis XVI for his private rooms in Versailles. It is now at the Musée Condé at Castle Chantilly. E. Kahn was a Paris-based company specialising in reproductions of 18th century furniture- including pieces by famous cabinet makers such as Riesener, Gaudreaux, Cressent, Stöckel and Benneman, which were copied at a scale of 1:1 or with minor modifications and made to an excellent standard.

Lit.:
Christian Baulez, Versailles - deux siècles d'histoire de l'art, p. 95, Editions Faton 2007
Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle français, p. 188, fig. 3, Hachette 1963 Cte François de Salverte, Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle, plate LVII under F. De Nobele, Paris 1975

Photo: Musée Condé at Chateau de Chantilly (France)