Elegant Neoclassical Chest of Drawers with Inlays Naples 1700s

Elegant Neoclassical Chest of Drawers with Inlays Naples 1700s

Features

Style: Neo-Classical (1765-1790)

Age: 18th Century / 1701 - 1800

Origin: Napoli, Campania, Italy

Main essence: Maple , Brazilian Rosewood , Mahogany , Rosewood

Description

Elegant chest of drawers with fluted uprights and blunt pyramidal feet. Two drawers with panoply in the middle and inlaid Greek fret. A drawer under the top with inlaid motif. Decorative motif on front and sides. Ebonized uprights. Marble top. Manufactured in Naples, Italy, last quarter of the 18th century.

Product Condition:
Fair condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions (cm):
Height: 93
Width: 128,5
Depth: 64,5

Additional Information

Style: Neo-Classical (1765-1790)

This historical period includes a first phase that can be properly defined as the Louis XVI style.
nOnly at a later time, with the maturation of archaeological fashions, was a new vision of furnishing civilization formulated and codified, now fully attributable to the Neoclassical Style.
In fact, both trends coexisted in unison until the last years of the eighteenth century.
nIn the field of cabinet making, the Directoire, Retour d'Egypte, Consular and Empire styles also fall within the neoclassical era.
nFind out more about Neoclassicism with the insights from our blog...
n

Age: 18th Century / 1701 - 1800

18th Century / 1701 - 1800

Main essence:

Maple

Hard, light wood used for inlays. It grows mainly in Austria, but it is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere, from Japan to North America, passing through China and Europe. It is one of the lightest woods ever, tending to white, it is similar to lime or birch wood. The briar is used in the production of ancient secretaires .

Brazilian Rosewood

It is a hard, light blond wood, but with strong red and pinkish veins, which is obtained from tropical trees similar to rosewood. Its veins are reminiscent of striped tulips, which is why it is called tulipwood in English-speaking areas. It is used for inlays, often combined with bois de violette. In the 1700s and 1800s it was highly appreciated and used in France and England for precious veneers. It gives off scent for decades if not centuries after curing.

Mahogany

It is one of the most precious and sought-after woods in cabinet making. It was discovered in Central America around 1600 and began to be imported to England in the 1700s. Much appreciated for its hardness and indestructibility, it became widespread following the blocking of walnut exports from France in 1720 and the consequent elimination of English import duties on mahogany from the colonies in America and India. The most valuable version comes from Cuba, but it became very expensive. At the end of the 18th century it began to be used also in France in Louis XVI, Directory and Empire furniture, its diffusion declined starting from when Napoleon, in 1810, forbade its import. It was generally used in the manufacture of elegant furniture, due to its characteristics and beautiful grain.

Rosewood

Under the term Rosewood various exotic, hard and heavy woods have been united, characterized by a color that varies from pink to violet. Their origin is usually from Latin America, India and Africa and are still considered very valuable woods. Until the end of the eighteenth century, this name also referred to the bois de violette . In general, rosewood woods began to be imported into Europe starting in 1750 and were first used for veneers and inlays in England, flanked, by contrast, with lighter woods. Later, entire valuable furniture was manufactured both in England, mainly in the Regency style, and in France, starting from the Neoclassical period.