Antique French Louis XV Marble Top Commode by Jacques Bircklé

An important and absolutely stunning antique French Louis XV marble top commode by Jacques Bircklé. This was made in France and dates from around the 1750-1770 period. It is of magnificent quality with a beautiful design and generous proportions. There is stunning inlaid marquetry of various woods and extremely high quality gilt bronze mounts all over. This has a curvaceous bombe shape with a serpentine front edge. The marble top is likely original, it is very thick and is a lovely speckled grey. We have had this French polished to a very high standard, the condition is excellent. There is just some extremely minor wear here and there beneath the polish, consistent with age. The makers stamp is seen on the top under the marble. Jacques Bircklé, born 1734, received his cabinet makers’ master title 1764 and set up shop at first at the rue de Charenton and later at the rue Saint Nicolas and became one of the most famous maitres ebenistes of his time. Later in his career he was commissioned by Marie-Antoinette to work for her Chateau Saint Cloud and also worked for the Duc d’Orleans, for the Princesse de Lamballe and other noble clintele. Bircklé worked in a variety of Styles from Louis XV to Louis XVI, his pieces of furniture were known and appreciated for their high quaity of marquetry rather than an abundance of gilt bronze decoration. Works of Jacques Bircklé nowadays are displayed e.g. at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Musee Cognacq-Jay in Paris and the Musée Lambinet at Versailles. Literature: Kjellberg, Pierre: Le mobilier francais du XVIII siècle, Paris 2008, p. 74-78.