WHAT: A red- and gilt-painted Louis XV commode that sold for $7,500 last month at Doyle New York was made in the second quarter of the 18th century. The decoration is described as parcel gilt, meaning that it is partially, not completely, decorated with gold (gilt).
MORE: The piece has a gray and white marble top plus three long drawers painted with gold chinoiserie, a fashionable look that was a rage at the time.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Chinoiserie (sheen-wahs-ree) is a French term meaning, loosely, “in the Chinese style.” It almost always refers to Chinese figures, pagodas, blossoms and other motifs, and is generally seen on painted furniture.
HOT TIP: Design styles cycle in and out of fashion, and variants of chinoiserie have been used for centuries. Quality of the gilding or decoration matters for top dollar. Good chinoiserie remains a favorite, which may explain why the chest’s estimated pre-sale was at $2,500 to 3,500 and the price soared to $7,500.
