18th Century French Louis XVI Period Parquetry Commode Commode with Marble Top

Fine French Louis XVI Period Parquetry Commode with Unusual Oyster Veneered Decoration. This fine commode is of typical Louis XVI form with chamfered angles, reflected in the shaping of the original white marble top, but otherwise rectangular in shape. The piece consists of three long drawers with original ormolu escutcheon plates and handles and a key. The commode is decorated entirely in parquetry in a range of woods such as kingwood and what appears to be olive wood or cocus. The top drawer front employs a simple repeating geometric relief but the other drawers, and the sides of the commode, employ panels of oyster veneered timber set in to geometric frames. Oyster veneering, or oystering, involves cutting through small branches or roots creating small oyster shell-like veneers and then inlaying them in decorative panels. The decoration on the this commode is abstract veneers of contrasting shapes, sizes and colours being laid next to each other in a pattern. This extremely unusual commode is sure to be a talking point in any home.