French King Louis XV's spectacular chest of drawers up for auction

A splendid 18th-century chest of drawers that once belonged to French King Louis XV is set to go under the hammer at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Enchères auction house on 25 November.

It has an estimate of €500,000 (£434,000) to €700,000 (£608,000), according to expert Pierre-François Dayot - but could sell for even more.

The piece of furniture up for auction is nothing short of extraordinary: it was discovered during an inventory of an estate and is the handiwork of the illustrious cabinetmaker, Charles Cressent (1685-1768).

Exemplifying the early 18th-century style, this gracefully curved chest of drawers, adorned with intricate marquetry, is embellished with exquisitely crafted bronze ornaments. For the expert, it represents nothing less than "a masterpiece."

Importantly though, it bears the mark of crown property and was commissioned on August 4, 1738, for the bedroom of King Louis XV at the Château de la Muette, situated on the outskirts of the Bois de Boulogne.

The combination of these two factors - a renowned cabinetmaker and an illustrious owner - is sure to stir the interest of major museums, including perhaps the Palace of Versailles, as well as discerning collectors.

In 2022, during the sale of the contents of the Lambert Hotel, two armchairs crafted by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard, delivered to the daughters of Louis XV, fetched a staggering €3,665,000,(£3.18 million) far surpassing the initial estimate of €800,000 (£695,000).