CHESTS OF DRAWERS

Appearing for the first time in the middle of the XVIIIth century, their shape varies, "arbalete, tombeau, ressaut".

They are different from other regional woodmakings, because of the type of wood used (walnut wood). The woodcarvings (Arles flowers) and "rocaille" (Nimes-Uzes "rocaille"), the perforated cross members on the sides, and also because of their curved shape on the front and sides.

Once and for all, the main difference between an " arlésienne " chest of drawers or cupboard and a " Nimoise " chest of drawers or cupboard is the following : It can be seen on the work that has been carried out on the bottom cross member of the front of the furniture. The furniture from Arles do not have perforated parts, but instead they are full, stout and cut with force.

At the end of the XVIIIth century, the chest of drawers became rectilinear with sharp edges and took on a Louis XVIth style. Certain even used a style from the revolutionary era, using certain details from it ("bonnet phrygien" (the well known revolutionary hat) ; "faisceaux" (fascs)). Always in walnut wood, it is possible to find a few in alder wood ("Fourques") or in mulberry wood (Drome, Cévennes).