Bombe Commode / Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Storage (Dresser / Chest) · Rococo Revival / Traditional European (Mid-20th Century reproduction style) · Unknown mass-market manufacturer specializing in traditional European revival furniture.
Type
Storage (Dresser / Chest)
Style Period
Rococo Revival / Traditional European (Mid-20th Century reproduction style)
Material
Wood veneer over a secondary wood core (likely hardwood and engineered wood), featuring burled wood veneer surfaces.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1990 (Late 20th Century)
Dimensions
Estimated height 32 inches, width 48 inches, depth 22 inches. Consistent with standard bedroom or hallway commode dimensions.
Origin
Likely manufactured in the late 20th century, styled after 18th-century French and Italian Baroque designs.
Designer/Maker
Unknown mass-market manufacturer specializing in traditional European revival furniture.
Value Estimate
Estimated retail/secondhand market value between $150 and $400, depending on local demand and the cost of repairing the veneer damage.
Description
An eye-catching serpentine bombe commode featuring a dramatically curved silhouette and richly figured burled wood veneer. The piece includes two smaller upper drawers above two full-width lower drawers, accented by ornate brass-finish hardware and supported by graceful cabriole legs.
Key Features
Pronounced bombe and serpentine curvature, highly decorative burled wood veneer, shaped apron with subtle carving, and cabriole legs.
Color & Finish
Warm reddish-brown tones with a high-gloss or semi-gloss lacquer finish highlighting the swirling burl grain patterns.
Construction Method
Factory-made reproduction piece incorporating traditional curved shaping, assembled with standard modern and semi-traditional joinery.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Standard commercial cabinetry joinery with curved serpentine drawer fronts and shaped aprons.
Wood Grain & Species
Exotic burled wood veneer (such as walnut or camphor burl) exhibiting highly figured, swirling eye patterns across the front drawers and top.
Surface Treatment
Smooth lacquer or varnish finish over decorative burled veneer, featuring carved details on the apron and slender cabriole legs.
Upholstery Details
Not applicable.
Hardware & Fittings
Cast metal swing-bail pulls with matching backplates in an antiqued brass finish.
Origin & Provenance
Likely manufactured in the late 20th century, styled after 18th-century French and Italian Baroque designs.
Condition Notes
Good overall structural condition with visible cosmetic wear, specifically a noticeable area of veneer chipping or finish damage on the upper left side of the front facade.
Interesting Facts
The bombe style originated in France during the Louis XV period, where furniture makers mastered the complex art of shaping wood to create bulging, convex surfaces that defied rigid geometric norms.
Cultural Significance
Represents the enduring popularity of 18th-century European court aesthetics in modern interior design and mass-market traditional furniture manufacturing.
Similar Pieces
Louis XV style antique commodes, though true antiques feature hand-cut dovetails, oak or pine secondary woods, and a French polish rather than modern lacquers.
Care & Maintenance
Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid placing in direct sunlight or near heat sources to prevent veneer cracking. Use furniture polish sparingly.
Value Estimate
Estimated retail/secondhand market value between $150 and $400, depending on local demand and the cost of repairing the veneer damage.
Sustainability Notes
Represents a durable, long-lasting furniture item that promotes longevity over fast-furniture trends, though the use of veneers over composite cores is typical of mid-to-late 20th-century production.