A fine pair of gilt-bronze-mounted stained sycamore, fruitwood and ebony inlaid burr wood, mahogany and marquetry commodes à vantaux, the bronzes stamped HD for Henry Dasson second half 19th century

in the manner of Riesener, each of gentle breakfront form with a veneered mottled peach and grey marble top above a frieze drawer centred by entwined foliage and flowers flanked by a beaded pierced panel with an alternating band of foliage and lunettes, the curved corners surmounted by a patera above a scrolled corbel stamped HD within a circle for Henry Dasson above a trail of husks, the cupboard door enclosing a shelf mounted with a trapezoid panel with a floral bouquet and patera at each corner flanked by drapery suspending floral sprays, the sides with ribbon-tied trophies of the Arts, terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet; marble top restored

Henry Dasson (1825-1896), was established at 106 rue Vieille-du-Temple and was an important furniture maker using the very finest gilt-bronze mounts with high quality mercurial gilding. His speciality was copies of 18th century furniture in mainly the Louis XVI manner. He exhibited Louis XV, XVI and pieces of his own modified 18th century designs at the Paris Exhibition in 1878. He also made objets d'art and wall lights and candlesticks.