Commode (commode à vantaux)
Of German origin, Adam Weisweiler became a master cabinetmaker in 1778 and set up shop in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, Paris. Producing luxury furniture, Weisweiler worked almost exclusively for marchands-merciers, especially for Dominique Daguerre, who supplied his Neoclassical furniture to an international clientele.
The talented cabinetmaker repeated this model, known as a commode a vantaux (meaning a chest with drawers enclosed by doors), numerous times but often with variations in size, decoration or materials. The use of doors allowed the cabinetmaker to choose lacquer panels or tropical veneer (its veining sometimes resembling marble) without the interruption of horizontal cuts for the drawers fronts. Gilt-bronze moldings frame the door panels (a double-hinged and bolted folding door to the right, and a single door to the left) giving them a picture-like quality. Although Weisweiler frequently selected mahogany veneer to embellish the exterior of his commodes, here he used a combination of mahogany and North African thuya wood with its distinctive burl. Typical for Weisweiler’s work are also the columns at the corners and the tapered feet adorned with vertical fluting.
The talented cabinetmaker repeated this model, known as a commode a vantaux (meaning a chest with drawers enclosed by doors), numerous times but often with variations in size, decoration or materials. The use of doors allowed the cabinetmaker to choose lacquer panels or tropical veneer (its veining sometimes resembling marble) without the interruption of horizontal cuts for the drawers fronts. Gilt-bronze moldings frame the door panels (a double-hinged and bolted folding door to the right, and a single door to the left) giving them a picture-like quality. Although Weisweiler frequently selected mahogany veneer to embellish the exterior of his commodes, here he used a combination of mahogany and North African thuya wood with its distinctive burl. Typical for Weisweiler’s work are also the columns at the corners and the tapered feet adorned with vertical fluting.
Artwork Details
- Title: Commode (commode à vantaux)
- Maker: Adam Weisweiler (French, 1744–1820)
- Date: ca. 1785
- Culture: French
- Medium: Oak veneered with mahogany and thuya; gilt bronze; marble
- Dimensions: H. 37 x W. 53-3/4 x D. 21-1/2 in. (94.0 x 136.5 x 54.6 cm)
- Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.161
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1787
Adam Weisweiler
ca. 1790
Adam Weisweiler
ca. 1790
Adam Weisweiler
ca. 1790
Adam Weisweiler
ca. 1790
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.