it
Pair of Neoclassical Bedside Cabinets – Veneto, Late 18th Century
Bombé front, walnut veneer, understated Louis XVI elegance
This pair of bedside cabinets comes from the Veneto region and dates to the final decades of the 18th century, a time when the Neoclassical taste—rooted in the art and architecture of ancient Rome—was spreading across Europe as a reaction to the decorative excesses of the Baroque and Rococo periods. The style, named after King Louis XVI of France, who ascended the throne in 1774, embraced a more restrained, geometric, and balanced visual language.
These cabinets are a clear expression of that style: clean lines, well-proportioned volumes, and essential forms. The gently bombé front softens the rigidity of the structure, introducing a subtle sense of movement. The drawer and door, framed by an extremely thin moulding, reveal the hand of a skilled and precise cabinetmaker. Tall, tapered legs lighten the overall silhouette, while the walnut veneer adds warmth and depth.
The pair—rare and entirely original—has been carefully and respectfully restored: reinforced where needed, thoroughly cleaned, French polished with shellac using the traditional “piumaccio” pad technique, and finished with a protective coat of wax applied by cloth. The result is a vibrant, tactile surface that carries the marks of time without hiding them.
Those who choose pieces like these value understated elegance, timeless beauty, and craftsmanship that shows in the details rather than in excess. They seek authenticity, balance, and objects that speak naturally to contemporary interiors.
Originally conceived as nightstands, they now fit seamlessly into other spaces too: an entryway, a study, or beside an armchair—always with the same measured grace, the quiet presence of beauty that doesn’t need to change to stay relevant.
- Material: Walnut wood
- Size: cm 40 x 34 x 76 h
- Condition: Restored
- Period: Ultimo quarto del '700
- Style: Louis XVI
- State: Optimal conditions
