Commode

ca. 1760–70

Not on view

Son of the French cabinetmaker Antoine Foullet, who was specialized in the creation of clock cases, Pierre Antoine is best-known for his output of chests of drawers (commodes) executed in a transitional style. Even though the breakfront shape and the two drawers sans traverse (without a shelf in between) decorated with a central medallion are characteristic for his work, this particular example is smaller than most of Foullet’s commodes. While the curving cabriole legs and serpentine outline of the chest of drawers still show lingering influence of the Rococo style, the medallions, pendent musical trophies, and gilt-bronze mounts are clearly Neoclassical in nature. Since as a cabinetmaker, Foullet was not allowed to cast and chase the bronzes for his furniture, he must have collaborated closely with a member of the metalworkers’ guild since the outline of the apron mounts and the laurel-leaf and bow-knotted ribbon frames of the medallions are precisely outlined in the veneer. Typical for Foullet’s work is also the meticulous marquetry that he is thought to have executed himself given the fact that the marquetry of a secrétaire in the Wallace Collection, London, bears his signature.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Commode
Maker: Pierre Antoine Foullet (master 1765)
Date: ca. 1760–70
Culture: French, Paris
Medium: Marquetry, harewood and various woods; gilt bronze, marble
Dimensions: 34 1/4 × 38 in. (87 × 96.5 cm)
Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
Credit Line: The Jules Bache Collection, 1949
Object Number: 49.7.114a, b
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

By Pierre Antoine Foullet

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Commode (Secrétaire à abattant), Jean Henri Riesener French, Oak veneered with ebony and 17th-century Japanese lacquer; interiors veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, and ebonized holly; gilt-bronze mounts; marble top; velvet (not original), French, Paris — Commode (Secrétaire à abattant)
Jean Henri Riesener
1783

Commode (commode à vantaux) (part of a set), Adam Weisweiler French, Oak veneered with ebony, amaranth, holly, ebonized holly, satinwood, Japanese and French lacquer panels; gilt-bronze mounts, brocatelle marble top (not original); steel springs; morocco leather (not original), French, Paris — Commode (commode à vantaux) (part of a set)
Adam Weisweiler
ca. 1790

Drop-front secretary (Secrétaire en armoire), Jean Henri Riesener French, Oak veneered with ebony and 17th-century Japanese lacquer; interiors veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, and ebonized holly; gilt-bronze mounts; marble top; velvet (not original), French, Paris — Drop-front secretary (Secrétaire en armoire)
Jean Henri Riesener
1783

Writing table (bureau plat), Gilles Joubert French, Lacquered oak, gilt-bronze mounts, lined with modern leather, French, Paris — Writing table (bureau plat)
Gilles Joubert
1759

Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire), Guillaume Benneman, Oak veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, holly partly stained green, ebony, and mahogany; brèche d'Alep marble (not original); modern leather; gilt-bronze mounts, French, Paris — Drop-front secretary (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en armoire)
Multiple artists/makers
1786–87

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.