Stamped F. Lieutaud - Exceptional Regency Chest of Drawers

EXCEPTIONAL LOUIS XV TOMBEAU COMMODE A LA REGENCE with curved front and sides.
In violet wood veneer with rosewood frame.
It opens with 4 drawers in 3 rows separated by brass fluting.
The drawer bottoms and sides are in walnut, with a resin front.
Very fine ornamentation of 18th-century gilded bronzes for the handles, lock escutcheons, lamp bases and falls,
Pink, gray and white veined marble top.
Very fine work for a commission from a high personage.
Stamped with a monogram F.L. for François LIEUTAUD.

Early 18th century.
Old and very well restored marble.

W.130 D.63 H.89.

The "F L" mark corresponds to the stamp of François LIEUTAUD (1665 - 1748), Maître at the end of the 17th century,
Together with Charles Boulle, he designed some of the finest furniture in Versailles.

The records of a court case from the period indicate that, exceptionally, King Louis XIV granted him the rare privilege of being able to design and manufacture the bronzes for his furniture, since at the time, only the bronze-makers' guild had this exclusive right.
In the history of furniture, the use of walnut for the construction of drawers, which is the case of our commode, bears witness to Parisian craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail: it is a piece of commissioned furniture...
Later, with the shortage of walnut following the harsh winter of 1709, walnut was replaced by oak.

François LIEUTAUD was one of the greatest cabinetmakers of his time. To date, we find very few works by him on the market, which makes our commode, described below, a rare piece of furniture.
The last official sales recorded in the last 20 years:
- Christie "s Monaco, stamped 1 time, 2008: €86,000
- Tajan Paris, stamped 1 time, 2002: €74,000
- Cannes, unstamped, attributed: €60,000

Ref: NOVKA7IK8A