Dutch Empire 19th Century Commode

A Dutch Empire three-drawer commode from the 19th century with its original painted finish and touches of Napoleonic influence over pine construction. The top surface has lost much of the original chalk-white paint leaving traces of a cerused effect on the grain and differentiated from the case by a dentil molding. A pair of caryatid busts on tapering pilasters accented with gold paint flank the stack of three, wide drawers that open by brass ring pulls. Louis XVI style brass escutcheons on each drawer front are purely decorative, no key is present. This substantial storage piece is cleverly divided into two bodies for easier lifting up narrow staircases and placement in the home: two upper drawers are one section, leaving the bottom drawer on claw feet separate. The semigloss paint remains mostly smooth with some areas of loss and craquelure pattern. Be sure to see the detailed images to see the current condition of this painted chest of drawers.