{"product_id":"antique-french-sandblasted-walnut-commode-circa-1800","title":"Antique French Louis XVI Sandblasted Walnut Commode, Circa 1790","description":"\u003cblockquote class=\"ml-2 border-l-4 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.1)] pl-4 text-text-300\"\u003e\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSandblasted French walnut chest of drawers, in the Louis XVI taste. The walnut has been blasted back to bare wood, leaving a pale honey surface with open grain and visible texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThree full-width drawers with molded frames, fluted canted corners, square tapered feet, shaped apron. Solid plank top secured with wooden pegs. Frame-and-panel sides and back. Hand-cut dovetails reinforced with iron nails. Cast brass hardware with neoclassical escutcheons, each with an eagle above a laurel wreath and ribbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Dimensions | 38\" H x 36\" W x 22\" D\u003cbr\u003e[d]Period | Louis XVI\u003cbr\u003e[d]Date | Circa 1770-1800\u003cbr\u003e[d]Country of Origin | France\u003cbr\u003e[d]Primary Wood | Walnut\u003cbr\u003e[d]Finish | Sandblasted to bare wood\u003cbr\u003e[d]Secondary Wood | Pine\u003cbr\u003e[d]Construction | Hand-cut dovetails, pegged plank top, hand-driven iron nails\u003cbr\u003e[d]Hardware | Cast brass, neoclassical eagle and laurel escutcheons\u003cbr\u003e[d]Drawers | Three, full width\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Locks | Two iron mortise locks, top and middle drawers, both working\u003cbr\u003e[d]Keys | Original key present, operates both locks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[condition]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eStructurally sound and in good working order for its age. This piece has been sandblasted back to bare wood, which removed the earlier surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThere is extensive old woodworm damage throughout. The three drawer fronts are heavily affected on both their outer and inner faces, with fields of small round exit holes together with open meandering channels on the exterior, the galleries opened up by the blasting. The three back boards are equally affected, with dense fine pinholing across their full surface, and the top back rail shows channeling with visible loss of material. The lower rail and feet are also affected. The drawer sides and bottoms are comparatively lightly affected. One drawer back has a small loss at its upper edge. The damage appears historic. I have not had the piece treated, and I have not tested it for active infestation. Please study the detail photographs closely before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe top is built from several boards. There are open shrinkage gaps along the seams and a split at one corner, consistent with age and seasonal movement. It is secured with wooden pegs that stand slightly proud of the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe applied moldings framing the drawer fronts have small chips and losses at the corners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe drawers are joined with hand-cut dovetails reinforced with iron nails. Drawer bottoms are softwood boards, hand-nailed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe back boards retain their darker oxidized tone and vary in width.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe primary wood is walnut in my assessment, based on its weight, its color, the grain, and the construction. It has not been formally identified by laboratory analysis, and the sandblasting has removed much of the surface detail that would normally confirm species. I am telling you what I believe it to be rather than what has been certified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe brass hardware is period. The bail handles sit on hand-threaded posts secured with square nuts, seated in hand-cut recesses on the inner faces of the drawer fronts, and the handle positions are original to the piece. Two iron mortise locks are present on the top and middle drawers, fixed with slotted screws. Both are in working order and are operated by the original key, which is included. The bottom drawer carries a matching escutcheon and keyhole but has no lock mechanism and does not lock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe date given is my estimate based on construction. There is no maker's mark or stamp. Sold as is, with all condition captured in the photographs. Expected marks, scuffs, and small losses throughout consistent with age and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#115\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Austyn Marie Design","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51482660962582,"sku":"AMD-03554","price":2900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/4623\/5926\/files\/Belgium_France_Inventory_Continued-7189.jpg?v=1784913656","url":"https:\/\/austynmariedesign.com\/products\/antique-french-sandblasted-walnut-commode-circa-1800","provider":"Austyn Marie Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}