Louis XVI Neoclassical Ivory & Gold Nightstand with Hand-Painted Floral Relief Panels

Design & Inspiration

Stand beside this nightstand and you immediately understand what the Louis XVI court demanded of its craftsmen: every surface must justify itself. The ivory-lacquered body is divided into precise architectural registers — a shallow upper drawer framed by rope-twist gilt molding, and a lower cabinet door whose recessed panel becomes the canvas for a tour de force of polychrome floral relief. Pink, powder-blue, and white roses tumble across the ivory ground in three-dimensional garlands, anchored at the center by a gilt acanthus cartouche. The piece is not merely decorated; it is composed, in the way a musician composes — every ornament playing its part in a coherent whole.

Materials & Craftsmanship

The carcass is built from solid pine (under 10% humidity) — a timber prized for its dimensional stability and fine, consistent grain that holds painted finishes without movement or cracking over time. The frame is finished in an ivory lacquer ground with blush-pink recessed panels, then enriched throughout with gold leaf applied over a gesso base — the traditional preparation that gives gilding its characteristic warmth and depth. The floral relief panels are individually hand-sculpted in fine resin and then polychrome-painted petal by petal: pink roses, blue forget-me-nots, white blossoms, and gilt ribbon bows rendered with the patience of a miniaturist. Four fluted gilt columns rise at the corners — their capitals swelling into tulip-form finials that are the unmistakable fingerprint of late-18th-century Parisian cabinetry. The drawer interior is lined in deep burgundy velvet, a finishing detail that reveals itself only when opened — a private luxury.

Dimensions & Details

Width: 60 cm / Depth: 47 cm / Height: 68 cm
Weight: 15 kg
One upper drawer with gilt brass pull and velvet-lined interior.
One lower cabinet door with hinged opening and interior shelf.
SKU: ENTCHE2155

Handcrafted in Egypt

This nightstand is made entirely by hand in Brass & Wood's Egyptian workshops, where craftsmen trained in European period-furniture techniques work with tools and methods largely unchanged since the 18th century. The hand-carving of the relief panels, the water-gilding of the moldings, and the layered polychrome painting are each performed as distinct specialist stages — the same division of labor practiced in the royal ateliers of Versailles. That heritage of making, translated into Egyptian hands and materials, is precisely what Brass & Wood exists to carry forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this nightstand made from?

The structural carcass is solid pine (under 10% humidity). Decorative relief panels are hand-sculpted resin, finished with polychrome painting and gold leaf gilding over a gesso base. The drawer is lined in burgundy velvet.

Is any assembly required?

Minimal assembly only — the legs attach to the body with fitted connectors. No specialist tools are needed, and full illustrated instructions are included.

Can this piece be customized?

Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization of finish color, panel paint palette, and hardware. Please contact our team to discuss your requirements before placing your order.