Chest of drawers; Brazil, mid 18th century.
Mahogany, rosewood and boxwood.
Twentieth century bronze handles.
Slight flaws.
Provenance: private collection conceived since the 1970s between London and Madrid.
Measurements: 91 x 143 x 65 cm.
Raised on four curved legs with final claw, the piece of furniture presents a sinuous front plan, which determines a slight frontal bulge. The lower edges on three sides are decorated with curves contrasted with counter-curves and protrusions, outlining both these elements and the fronts, which undulate upwards. The sides follow these same curves. The front has two large drawers and two smaller ones at the top, all decorated with marquetry, in which are inserted the handles and keyholes, decorated with classicist-inspired vegetal elements. Formally, this chest of drawers is in a transitional style between late Baroque and Rococo, as the design still retains its straight lines and the decoration is still subordinate to the structure. Likewise, the curved mitred forms are still reminiscent of the mixtilinear forms of the Baroque, maintaining the symmetrical composition, although an asymmetrical pattern can be found in the corner beading. However, the curved front plan that determines a bulge in the elevation is already clearly rococo, as is the predominance of sinuous lines in the decoration.
Historically, Mallorcan furniture has stood out for receiving stylistic influences from numerous European areas thanks to the buoyant trade in the area, among which the influence of Catalan furniture stands out. Technically, it also stands out for its quality, both in terms of the materials used and the design.