Lombard-Venetian Louis XIV chest of drawers

Rare Lombard/Venetian walnut chest of drawers with a curved (or barrel-shaped) front, composed of four drawers framed by ebonized moldings, decorated with reserves featuring maple wood inlaid ribbons that intertwine with each other. These alternate with other reserves in walnut burl, centered by bronze handles worked with a burin. The drawers are separated from each other by olive ashlar chains. Chamfered uprights, internal secret compartment, gilded frieze under the top. Sides centered by panels decorated with similar motifs to those of the drawers. There are minor restorations. The chiseled bronze handles and keyhole escutcheons are original. Attributable to Lombard-Venetian production between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Dimensions: 107 x 150 x 57 cm. This simple and elegant chest of drawers is distinguished not by pomp and showiness, but above all by the originality and uniqueness of the decorative solutions chosen, which are never excessive: the slightly forward-moving front allows it to have not-too-deep sides and softens the line; the frieze under the top has lace that face each other in pairs; the inlay is well executed, with motifs that recall the much more well-known Berain motifs with broken and moving lines that alternate between each other in a well-studied game. Finally, the splendid handles, very original in type, are burin finished and intelligently positioned in well-defined reserves veneered in walnut burl. All these elements, skillfully distributed on the surface of the furniture, result in an elegant decoration of the furniture.