Pair of Louis XV commodes

Here is the latest major restoration project undertaken by Raphaël, our apprentice. It is a pair of Louis XV style commodes bearing an unknown stamp, CCS, which could be attributed to Charles Claude Saunier, an early work by the latter.

Please find below the detailed report of the work carried out by Raphaël. Enjoy reading.

Restoration of a pair of Louis XV commodes

This restoration project was carried out on a pair of commodes, designed according to the aesthetic and technical principles of the Louis XV style. This style is characterized by its curved lines, both in plan and elevation, as well as by its slender and sturdy legs. The front corners of the commodes are adorned with finely chased bronze mounts decorated with Rococo motifs.

These pieces of furniture open with two large sliding drawers, concealing the lower and central rails. The apron is directly attached to the lower drawer. The entire unit is locked with a single lock located in the center of the upper drawer, which passes through the middle rail to engage in the drawer of the top panel, thus locking the entire unit with a single action. The chests of drawers have a simple appearance and harmonious curves. Marquetry of scrolls, leaves, and flowers adorns the drawers and the center of the sides. The scrollwork border is pronounced enough to initially suggest Germanic origins.

State of affairs report

The restoration of the two chests of drawers was carried out sequentially. Since the assembly required adjustments, their individual disassembly simplified the process. The finishing touches were then completed simultaneously.

Upon initial inspection, the absence of the front right leg of one of the two chests of drawers was noted. It was necessary to repair the missing leg and have a bronze sabot, which was also missing, remade. The marquetry exhibited significant veneer losses, particularly on the friezes of the lower drawers, but also scattered throughout the pieces. A substantial portion was preserved thanks to the careful attention of their owner, who kept the fragments that had become detached over time.

The Restoration

The widespread delamination, a consequence of dehydration and movement of the rosewood substructures, forced us to dismantle the frames in order to perform an infiltration process. This method rehydrates the glues and the wood, thus facilitating their hot re-gluing in a vacuum bag. This type of gentle and quick gluing proves particularly effective and practical on curved furniture.

The assembly was reconstructed, the panels enlarged and re-glued, and the mortises and tenons meticulously cleaned to ensure optimal structural strength. Following the adjustments to the drawers, the finishing work could begin.

The application of a first coat of varnish revealed the presence of engravings. We therefore proceeded to partially re-engrave them, and then the motifs were filled with black wax.

With the French polishing process complete, the final touch could be applied: the freshly cleaned bronze pieces were lightly varnished following Jean Felix Watin's recipe from 1773.

Observing the two restored commodes allows one to better appreciate the majesty of their marquetry. The curves are harmonious and of absolute precision, the marquetry testifies to impeccable execution, and the whole constitutes a remarkable work of art.

RG