Paul SORMANI (1817-1866) Rectangular chest of drawers with a central recess opening with four drawers, three of which are in the entablature. The transomless front is decorated with polychrome marquetry on a background of mahogany, burl walnut, walnut, cherry and native woods, with drawer frames and bases veneered in palm wood. Exceptional finely chased gilded bronze ornaments such as the corner falls, drawer frames, egg-and-dart friezes, clawed bases, mobile grips and lock escutcheons. Calacatta Viola marble top with original doucine. Signed in a cartouche on the edge of the central drawer: "Paul Sormani 10, r. Charlot. Paris." Transitional Louis XV/Louis XVI style. Height 88 cm. Width 137 cm. Depth: 56 cm. The signature on the inside lock plate of the drawer in the waistband of the chest dates it from after 1886 and before 1912. Bibliography: Camille MESTDAGH, "l'ameublement d'art français, 1850-1900, Les Éditions de l'amateur, p. 296