L. Bontemps commode Paris, circa 1870

bois de violette, amarante, satiné, coromandel Chinese lacquer and portor marble top, two long drawers beneath on frieze drawer, the figural keyhole frieze mount has been removed to reveal the mark LB from the bronze master model, the back of the carcass stamped twice L. BONTEMPS / PARIS and numbered 28053.

D. Ledoux-Lebard, Le Mobilier Français du XIX Siècle, p. 92-93

The present lots bears interesting features, especially to the frieze fitted with an à la grecque decoration flanking an unusual grotesque mask keyhole escutcheon. The drawers sans traverse and sides are inlaid with Chinese coromandel panels, a type of inlay polychrome lacquerware.  The technique of this exquisite Chinese decoration consists of applying to the board a thick paste ground, called Urushi, into which the chosen pictoral design is carved and then filled with colored lacquer pigmented pastes.  Ledoux-Lebard cites a pair of Louis XVI style side cabinets by Bontemps with Chinese coromandel lacquer panels sold, Hôtel Drouot, May 18, 1998, lot 202.