Louis XVI Kingwood Commode or Chest of Drawers, Stamped "Coulon"

Object Description

A Louis XV gilt bronze mounted kingwood commode, stamped, Coulon“ three times as well as „JME“ (Jurande Ménusiers-Ébénistes). The shaped Rouge Royal marble top above a bombe front with two small top drawers and one large bottom drawer, raised on four legs triangular in section, the front legs terminating in gilt bronze sabots. Veneered on a carcase of oak, set with extensive gilt bronze mounts featuring acanthus scrolls, pagoda elements, pearl ribbons and rocaille elements. Two of the handle mounts stamped ‘F.T.’ on the back, all mounts finely cast and chased. The apron with a gilt bronze acanthus mount.

Object History

The brothers Coulon (Balthazar, Gaspard and Jean-Francois) all used the stamp „Coulon“ therefore we can not attribute the commode to one of them. Jean-Francois, the eldest, received master in 1732, had a shop called „La Toilette Royale “together with his brother Gaspard (which he lead alone from 1767 onwards). Balthazar Coulon was also a marchand-ébéniste (both a maker and a retailer of furniture recognised by the Parisian guilds) with premises in the rue Plâtière where he offered mainly tables and small furniture pieces.

Object Literature

Literature:
Pierre Kjellberg: Le mobilier francais du XVIIIsiÈcle, Paris 2008, p. 210-211, fig. 210b
Pierre Verlet: Les bronzes dorés francais du XVIIIe siècle, Paris 2003, p. 430
The initials of the bronze mounts ‘F.T:’ are difficult to attribute exactly to a bronzier or bronze worker: either Francois Terel, founder (received master in 1760) or Francois-Michel Tillier/ Tiellers, founder (received master in 1752).

Object Condition

Very good, wear consistent with age and use – detailed condition report on request

Object Details