Painted Swedish Commode

An attractive solid serpentine fronted commode in the Louis XlV manner. The commode's features include brass ormulu mounts on the three drawers, and lovely large escutcheons.

This Gustavian grey colour was used a lot in Sweden, as the veneers used on the French versions of these commodes were not available.

In 1771 Gustav, Crown Prince of Sweden, returned home to be King Gustav lll, after an extended stay at the French court of Louis XlV, where he developed an appreciation of Louis XlV, XV and XVl furniture. What eveolved is this pared back, cleaner adaptation of French furniture, far more suited to Sweden, and New Zealand!

The serpentine front is in the manner of a bow (bow and arrow), we call it serpentine, the French call it arbalete, but it is its own shape and the feet are in the classical Louis XlV/XV manner. Very attractive.