A two-drawer commode (with no lateral division between the drawers) with an oak carcass and walnut drawers of slight bombé shape with a serpentine white-and-gray-veined marble top with molded edge and shaped apron on four tall, curving legs, the front divided into three decorative panels, the central panel in the shape of a cartouche framed in scrolled and foliated gilt bronze partially entwined with foliated sprays, from which emerge four richly scrolled and foliated sprays of leaves raised to form drawer handles, each panel is banded by amaranth and kingwood and inlaid with trailing sprays of flowers and leaves, with similar marquetry panels on both sides with elaborate gilt-bronze foliated mounts, the legs outlined with gilt-bronze bands wrapped with foliated vines and terminating in foliate sabots, each drawer is fitted with a small keyhole of gilt bronze in the center of the front.

Chest of Drawers (Commode)

Attributed to Jacques Dubois, Paris, France

1755-1760

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Oval blue jasper medallion with white relief profile portrait of Alexander the great (356-323 BC). Alexander was a Greek soldier, son of Philip of Macedon, born in Pella, and educated by Aristotle. At an early age he showed military talent of a high order, crossing the Hellespont in 334 to defeat a Persian army led by Darius. He consolidated this victory by occupying Palestine, marching thence to Egypt where he was hailed as a deliverer from Persian tyranny. He founded Alexandria in 331 B.C., and again defeated Darius in the same year. By 329 he had reached the river of Jaxartes, and in 328 subdued the whole of Sogdiana. In 326 he attempted the conquest of India, establishing Greek colonies in the Punjab, and bringing Greek influence to the art in the East, Returning to Babylon he began to plan for further conquests, but was taken ill after a banquet and died eleven days later. His body deposited in Alexandria in a soldiers coffin.
Cast-iron ring, the plain band with split shoulder, the face with an oval portrait medallion with the bust of Friedrich Augusts I, King of Saxony (1750-1827; king from 1806) in profile right.
A silhouetted figural plaque.
Obverse: Arms of Krakow. Reverse: Three areas enclosed by oak leaves, each with an inscription.