Chest of Drawers (commode)

1745/1749

Jean Desforges

Associated Names
Jean Desforges

Cabinetmaker, French, active c. 1739

The artwork is a richly adorned chest of drawers in a Rococo style. It features a curved, bombe shape. The surface is predominantly black lacquer, decorated with gilded bronze ormolu mounts that frame the edges and accentuate the curves. The front and sides display detailed scenes in golden tones that contrast with the dark background. The top is a colorful marble slab. Each corner is embellished with gilded motifs, and the legs are slender with ornate detailing, ending in delicate feet.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    veneered on oak, mostly stained black, with panels of Japanese black-and-gold (_togidashi_) lacquer; gilded bronze mounts; marble top

  • Credit Line

    Widener Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 83.7 x 147 x 61 cm (32 15/16 x 57 7/8 x 24 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1942.9.408

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Duveen Brothers, Inc.); sold 1 December 1903 to Peter A.B. Widener; inheritance from Estate of Peter A.B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park; gift 1942 to NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1973

  • François Boucher in North American Collections: One Hundred Drawings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Art Institute of Chicago, 1973-1974, not in catalogue or brochure (shown only in Washington).

1994

  • Fanciful Flourishes: Ornament in European Graphic Art and Related Objects, 1300-1800, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, brochure, no. 76.

2008

  • Rococo: The Continuing Curve, 1720-2008, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, New York, 2008, unnumbered catalogue, fig. 10.

Bibliography

1971

  • Huth, Hans. Lacquer of the West. London, 1971: pl. 237.

1992

  • National Gallery of Art, Washington. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 311, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q62266837

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