Restoration of a Louis XIV Dauphiné commode, veneered in geometric Alpine wood, with a curved front and three drawers in three rows. The model's proportions and construction are similar to those of a full-size commode (dovetail joints, intermediate shelves, etc.). The cabinetmaker masterfully played with contrasts through the juxtaposition of wood species, and the quality and variety of the woods used in this small piece of furniture are remarkable: primarily olive and olive burl, walnut and rosewood for the framing bands highlighted with double fillets of holly and blackened hornbeam, and finally pear and ash, all on a fir core.
Dimensions: 30.5 cm high x 39 cm wide x 23.5 cm deep.
The master furniture and the companionship
From the early Middle Ages onward, to achieve master status within the guilds, journeyman carpenters were required to present a masterpiece, usually full-scale, although reduced-scale models were sometimes accepted. These masterpieces could also serve as samples for the journeyman, allowing him to demonstrate the models he was capable of creating.
The spirit of the guild, characterized by selflessness, means that masterpieces remain anonymous, which makes attributions complex. Even today, some art school students, upon completion of their training, demonstrate their talent by creating a small piece of furniture.
