Commode

Antoine-Mathieu Criaerd|Martin Criaerd

ca. 1755–60 · Oak veneered with ebonized and lacquered wood; gilt bronze; Rance marble · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The most prominent member of a large family of cabinetmakers, Mathieu Criaerd specialized in furniture veneered with Asian lacquer or European imitation lacquer and is known to have worked for the marchands merciers Thomas-Joachim Hébert and Nicolas Héricourt. Once thought to be veneered with Japanese lacquer, the surface of this commode was actually decorated in France in imitation of Japanese black and gold lacquer of about 1670–1680.

Artist

Antoine-Mathieu Criaerd|Martin Criaerd

Date

ca. 1755–60

Medium

Oak veneered with ebonized and lacquered wood; gilt bronze; Rance marble

Culture

French, Paris

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973