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Biedermeier Satin Birch Commode with Marble Top

A 19th century Biedermeier satin birch commode, the black marble top above three drawers flanked by black pilasters. 36.61 in. high, 40.94 in. wide, 21.65 in. deep

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  • Pilasters - In furniture a pilaster is a flattened column-like detail

    applied to furniture. It is similar to a pilaster in architecture, but it is

    typically smaller and less ornate. Pilasters are often used to decorate the

    fronts of bookcases, cabinets, and other pieces of furniture. Pilasters can be

    made of wood, metal, or other materials. They can be fluted, carved, or plain.

    Pilasters are often used to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to

    furniture.

  • Birch - Birch is a Northern Hemisphere hardwood, closely related to the beech/oak family, and was a timber popular with 18th century craftsmen. Because of the blonde-golden colour of the grain when polished and its close grain, as a veneer it is often used as a substitute for satinwood where cost savings are required. From the late 18th century cabinetmakers in Russia and Eastern Europe used it in the solid for chairs and other furniture.

    Karelian birch is birch with a burr grain that resembles marble, from the Karelia region between Finland and Russia. Because only 30% to 40% of seeds result in trees with Karelian birch features, and the fact that it is very slow growing, the timber is very expensive.
  • Commode - The word "commode" when used to describe an item of furniture, has three usuages:

    1. As used to describe an item of English furniture, it refers to what is euphemistically called a 'night table', that is a small cabinet concealing a chamber pot.

    2. In its 18th century French usuage it describes a low and highly decorated chest of drawers for salons and reception rooms. A bombe commode is a commode with rounded sides and front, giving the chest a somewhat swollen look.

    3. It is also used to denote a half round or serpentine shaped cabinet, with panelled doors, standing on legs. They were pieces on which the cabinetmaker lavished his most accomplished art, with rich veneers, marquetry inlays, gilt mounts and other ornamentation.

This item has been included into following indexes:

A 19th century Biedermeier satin birch commode, the black…