Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Free Appraisals
    • Get a Free Appraisal
    • View Appraisals
    • Local Appraisers
  • Classifieds
  • Blog
  • Shows
    • Antique Shows, Flea Markets, & Swap Meets Map
    • Upcoming Shows
User Menu
  • Login
  • Help
  • Register

Breadcrumb

  1. Home

French or chinese commode

By matistop, 12 March, 2025
Description

Commode has been standing for quite a while in my grandpa's house. Would like to know the value.

Category
Home Furnishings
Condition
Fair
For Sale?
No
Photos
Profile picture for user Charley

Charley

2 months 3 weeks ago

Ornate Commode with Marble Top

Description

  • Type: Antique-style commode (likely French or Chinese influence)
  • Material: Wood with hand-painted lacquer finish, gilded accents, and floral motifs.
  • Top Surface: Marble top, gray with natural veining and signs of wear.
  • Design Style: Resembles Louis XV Rococo or Chinoiserie style, popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
  • Condition: Described as fair, with visible signs of age such as minor paint chipping, slight surface wear, and tarnished metal hardware.

Historical Context and Style

  • This commode exhibits strong influences from Louis XV Rococo design, characterized by:
    • Curved lines and ornate detailing
    • Floral motifs and gilded scrollwork
    • Dark lacquer finish with painted scenic designs, possibly inspired by Chinoiserie (a European interpretation of Chinese artistic themes).
  • Chinoiserie furniture often became highly fashionable in France during the 18th century, blending European woodworking techniques with Asian-inspired aesthetics.
  • The marble top suggests European craftsmanship, as this feature was common in French commodes to enhance elegance and durability.

Estimated Value

The value of this commode depends on several factors:

âś… Authenticity: If confirmed to be an original 18th or 19th-century piece, its value would be significantly higher.
âś… Condition: Signs of wear, such as paint chipping and marble surface wear, may lower its value but can be restored.
âś… Craftsmanship & Materials: The detailed hand-painted finish, gilded accents, and marble top enhance its desirability.

Estimated Value Range:

  • $800 – $1,500 USD for a 20th-century reproduction in fair condition.
  • $2,000 – $4,000 USD if identified as a well-preserved 19th-century antique.
  • $5,000+ USD if authenticated as an original 18th-century commode from a notable French maker.

Recommended Steps for Confirmation

  1. Professional Appraisal: Due to its intricate detail and potential value, consulting an expert specializing in European antiques or Chinoiserie furniture is advised.
  2. Restoration Assessment: Light professional restoration, especially for the marble surface and chipped paint, may improve its market value.
  3. Provenance Research: If this piece has family history or documentation linking it to a particular maker or period, this could significantly increase its value.

Where to Sell or Appraise

  • For an authentic antique, consider auction houses like Sotheby’s, Christie’s, or Bonhams.
  • For a reproduction or decorative piece, platforms like 1stDibs, Chairish, or eBay may be ideal.
No votes yet
  • Log in or register to post comments

Today’s Featured Blog

Beyond the Price Tag: The Hidden Factors That Influence Antique and Collectible Value

More Blog articles…

Recent Appraisals

  • Old dollshouse with furniture
  • Vintage Ford Falcon XW-XY Car Radio
  • Small Brass Vintage Calderon and Mini Goblets
  • Vintage porcelain toast rack
  • Dancing Jew Judaica Painting by Henryc Hechtkopf
  • *Rare St. Etienne 1718 Double-Barrel Flintlock Gun Replica – Collectible Display Piece
  • WWII Ship hatch cover table idk exactly but roughly 24"x18". The red was a washable paint for kids art project
  • Vintage MCM Lane “Cosmopolitan” Round Walnut and Tile Coffee Table – 40"
  • Lane Furniture Mid-century End Table, Cosmopolitan Line
  • Postage Stamp 2 cent
See more appraisals…

Recent Appraisal Comments

  • Antique German Dollhouse with Furniture (c. 1890)
  • Vintage Ford Falcon XW-XY Super Fringe Car Radio
  • Vintage Brass Cauldron and Mini Goblets Set
  • Vintage Porcelain Toast Rack
  • “Dancing Jew” by Henryk Hechtkopf (c. 1950s–60s)
  • St. Etienne 1718 Double-Barrel Flintlock Gun Replica – Display
  • WWII-Era Ship Hatch Cover End Table
  • Vintage Mid-Century Modern Lane “Cosmopolitan” Coffee Table
  • Lane Furniture Mid-Century Modern End Table – Cosmopolitan Line
  • U.S. 2-Cent George Washington (Red)

Recent Blog Articles

  • Beyond the Price Tag: The Hidden Factors That Influence Antique and Collectible Value
  • Beyond the Price Tag: Unlocking the Hidden Stories in Your Family Heirlooms
  • Antiques as an Investment: Beyond the Hype, What's Actually Worth It?
  • Is it Real or Just Really Old? Your Guide to Spotting Fake Antiques (and How to Protect Yourself)
  • Beyond the Dust: Unearthing the Stories Behind Your Antiques (and Why Knowing Matters)
  • Unlocking Time's Treasures: Your Essential Vintage Watch Value Guide
  • Navigating the Dip: Smart Strategies for Selling Your Antiques, Collectibles, and Art in a Down Market

More Blog articles…

© 1995- InstAppraisal™, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions of Use