Painted bombay chest
Two drawer Bombay chest, appears to be hand painted, with marble top, and gold colored metal pulls and accent pieces. Petite size.
26.5” wide in back, 20.5” wide in front, 14” deep , 28” tall
Other
Yes
Hi Laura,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The term "bombé" (pronounced bom-bay) is used to describe furniture that has a bulging shape, as seen here. (there is also the Bombay Furniture Company that made such furniture but I don't see their label in any of these photos - if that's there, please take/attach a photo as that will affect the value of this piece).
Most 20th Century diminutive commodes of this size and with similar decoration have sold recently at auction for between $700 and $900.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A vintage diminutive Louis XV style Chinoiserie decorated and ormolu mounted marble top mahogany bombé commode
20th Century
Of rectangular section with swelled front, surmounted by a Brocatelle or Fleur de Pecher marble top, the mahogany case with painted drawers and case sides, with cast gilt-bronze (ormolu) mounts and pulls. Unlabeled.
Height: 28 inches; greatest width: 26-1/2 inches; depth: 14 inches
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition.
PROVENANCE: Unknown
$ 600-900*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
Hi Laura,
The painting is just naive enough that it’s probably hand-painted rather than factory/machine-painted. This could have been made in either the US or elsewhere, and I’d say sometime between the 1940s and 1960s.
Let me know if you have other questions!
Delia
May I ask why the suggested asking price is well above the fair market value? I thought the asking price is generally lower not higher? Why is this piece valued so high, given that it’s not even antique. Is it because of current decor trends?
That's a very reasonable question. The reason we suggest asking for HIGHER than the fair market value is because some buyers may want to negotiate or haggle on the sale price - as the seller you aren't likely to get a higher price than you're asking and this way, even if you come down a bit, you don't risk selling it below what it's worth.
Let me know if you still have questions,
~ Delia
Thanks for clarifying the asking price. In general, why is this piece valued so high, given that it’s not even antique. Is it because of current decor trends?
This is in a fairly high style and people - who decorate in this style anyway - are willing to pay that much for these. While it's not something I personally would pay, the recent auction prices of comparable pieces at that level suggest that that's where the market for this kind of thing is at the moment.
Thanks. Any idea where this would have been made? Is this hand painted? Also, any idea if it’s early or late 20th century?