olivier

Louis XIV style commode – Grenoble, first third of the 18th century

Mathieu VathBronzes, convenient, Louis XIV, Rio Rosewood, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, French polish
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

Restoration of a Louis XIV Dauphiné commode, veneered in geometric Alpine wood, with a bombé 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 skillfully played with contrasts through the juxtaposition of wood species, and the quality and variety of the woods used on this small piece of furniture are remarkable: primarily olive and olive burl, walnut, and rosewood for the framing bands highlighted with […]

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Louis XIV commode

Mathieu VathBronzes, Vacuum bonding, convenient, conservation, graft, Louis XIV, walnut, Veneering - Marquetry, polite, furniture restoration, 18th century
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

Restoration of a Louis XIV period commode veneered in olive burl, ash, and walnut, likely from the Dauphiné region. This type of commode (D-shaped), along with the Mazarine commode, was among the very first commodes popularized under Louis XIV. Indeed, the appearance of the earliest French furniture resembling the commode dates only from the 1700s; thus, the oldest known and datable Parisian commodes are those delivered by André-Charles Boulle to Versailles around 1708. Their very simple decorations are inspired by Dutch designs, often executed by […]

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Louis XIV commode from the Dauphiné region

Mathieu VathVacuum bonding, convenient, Louis XIV, Veneering - Marquetry
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

Restoration of a Louis XIV period commode in olive burl, rosewood, and boxwood, likely from the Dauphiné region. This type of commode (D-shaped), along with the Mazarine commode, was among the very first commodes popularized under Louis XIV. Indeed, the earliest French furniture resembling the commode only appeared in the 1700s; thus, the oldest known and datable Parisian commodes are those delivered by André-Charles Boulle to Versailles around 1708. Their very simple decorations are inspired by Dutch designs, often crafted by Protestant cabinetmakers […]

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Tool cabinet – The top doors

Mathieu VathCopy of an old, Creation, Marquetry
Ebénisterie Mathieu Vath

For these marquetry designs, I drew inspiration from Pierre Ramond's book, "André-Charles Boulle, Cabinetmaker, Chaser, and Marquetry Maker to the King." I used the marquetry drawings from the Boulle workshop cabinet (circa 1715–1720). I simply modified them by removing the birds and the butterfly to simplify the design. Then, I partially employed the "Boulle" method for the acanthus leaves and the vase. Finally, I used the wood painting technique for the flower bouquets.

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