An Empire Commode

Vienna, circa 1810

Burr birch, ebony and ebonized fruitwood, maple, gilt-bronze, marble.

Height: 80 cm (31.5 inch)
Width: 103 cm (40.6 inch)
Depth: 54 cm (21.3 inch) Ref No: 1757

This rare and unusual side cabinet displays very characteristically the elegance of Viennese Empire furniture from the early 19th century. The white marble top above a long single drawer in the frieze. The door, flanked by two ebonized lyres with carved and painted rams heads, revealing a maple veneered interior, with a single shelf. The attractive burr birch veneer stands in contrast to fine fillets of ebony to give this cabinet a very decorative appearance.