French Commode, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II 1755 - 1765

This is a detailed pencil drawing of a commode, a type of chest of drawers, by English furniture designer Thomas Chippendale, the design appearing in his influential volume *The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director*. It shows the front elevation of the commode, with its rococo flourishes, including a delicate cartouche-like panel centered on the left side. While Chippendale was known for his innovative designs, this particular piece seems to have been inspired by French Rococo furniture of the period, demonstrating a clear stylistic influence. The drawing is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and is a testament to Chippendale’s enduring impact on the history of furniture design.