Commode Decorated with Red Lacquer from China

ca. 1753-1756
Bernard II Van Risen Burgh

This chest of drawers is the work of Bernard II van Risenburgh (1696–1766), one of the great cabinetmakers active in Paris during the reign of Louis XV. Born into a family of craftsmen of Dutch origin, he was the first to embellish his pieces of furniture with panels of Chinese lacquer set off by frames of gilt bronze. He produced five similar items around 1750 but only two with genuine lacquer panels, the three others being imitations made with the cheaper local product called vernis Martin.