An eccentric mahogany and ebony inlaid trace of one of the most celebrated names in the early 19th century French decorative arts. The Bellangé workshop is most remembered for the time of the father, Pierre-Antoine (1757-1827), who delivered an extensive set of giltwood furniture to the White House in 1817.

Bellangé’s eldest son, Louis-Alexandre had taken over the company in 1825, and was given the title “Ebeniste du roi” in 1832 under Louis-Philippe. This is the signature so charmingly engraved on the lock of this doored commode (perhaps also viably interpreted today as a dining room piece - at the time it was no doubt for decor in a salon or for use in a bedroom). The younger Bellangé continued to fulfill, like his father, commissions for royal palaces, and he was distinguished at the exclusive precursors to the World’s Fairs; the expositions des produits de l’industrie française. This rare piece likely represents the workshop’s fine domestic production, reserved for a certain clientele, but more comfortable than some of the more elaborate works made for government spaces.

Myers & Monroe, LLC