Dresser, Île-de-France, 2^nd half of the 16^th century

This dresser, the prototype of which is attributed to Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau, has a central section framed by four small columns. It prefigured the armoire proper, which appeared in the following century. Rather than having two separate sections, this piece has a drawer in the middle to mark the division between its upper and lower parts. The doors are framed by rectilinear moldings. The molded base stands on ball feet. With its purity of line and simplicity of form, this dresser appears to be an exception in Du Cerceau’s work, which usually features very dense carved decoration.