Chest of Drawers

Maker Martin Carlin (French, ca. 1739 - 1785)

Additional Title(s)

Commode

Collections

European Decorative Art Highlights

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Dateca. 1775

Mediumoak carcase veneered with marquetry of tulipwood, sycamore, purplewood edge banding and ebony and holly stringing; gilt bronze mounts; white Carrara marble tops

Dimensions39 x 60 x 23 3/4 in. (99.1 x 152.4 x 60.3 cm.)

Signed

InscribedPaper label on the inner shelf: 1 Louis XVI commode stamped Carlin M.E. from the Collection of C.J. Wertheimer. Mark stamped under the right lobe of the apron: M. CARLIN ME Mark stamped on the vertical panels at the right and left ends of the back of the object: M. CARLIN [and] M.E. [in monogram]

MarkingsMark stamped under the right lobe of the apron: M. CARLIN ME Mark stamped on the vertical panels at the right and left ends of the back of the object: M. CARLIN [and] M.E. [in monogram]

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

Not on view

Label TextCabinet-maker Carlin was known for sophisticated pieces of furniture mounted with porcelain plaques or lacquer panels, or, as here, decorated with marquetry of exotic woods. This commode is in the neoclassical style, which looked to the art of ancient Rome for inspiration. The foliate swags and trellises of the marquetry are based on published drawings of some of the material then recently excavated from the archeological sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

Object number11.31