A Québec bowfront chest of drawers of striking beauty and rarity. Made almost entirely of curly maple (secondary wood: pine), it dates from the French Regime and reflects the Louis XIII to Régence transition style.
Circa 1730

The use of curly maple is remarkable given the hardness of the material. Contemporary artisans who still work in the old manner understand well the challenge this wood presents, allowing us to grasp the level of difficulty faced in the early days of the colony.

Beyond the choice of wood—which in itself is a rare testament to the desire for durability and elegance—the hand-carved scrollwork, the graceful shaping of the base, the superb mitred top joined at a 45-degree angle and assembled entirely with wooden pegs, and the naturally blackened, patinated back panel all contribute to placing this chest among the finest Canadian chests of museum quality.
 
Provenance:
From a founding family of the Varennes region, Québec.

It was, of course, not originally painted. The cabinetmaker’s work was never meant to conceal the extraordinary beauty of the wood grain.

Later pulls

Dimensions:
Width: 40 ¾ in.
Depth: 24 ⅓ in.
Height: 29 ⅞ in.