French antique semainier in the Directoire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany that has been fully ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish of museum-quality. There are seven dovetailed drawers representing the seven days of the week that give this piece its name – in French “semaine” means week. The drawers all feature two gilt brass pulls and escutcheon. There is a gray Sainte Anne marble slab top original to the piece. It is in very nice antique condition – the photos accurately depict the condition.
During a time of great change in post-revolution France (1790-1805), the Directoire style came about after the execution of Louis XVI. With the monarchy gone, France was governed by the Directoire executif (executive directory), from which the name of the style derives. Many criticized the old regime’s propensity for excessive luxury, and in response they began to opt for sleek, austere designs with light ornamentation. Furniture of the time stressed simple shapes, clean lines and strong proportions. Today these furnishings can be used in virtually any space, thanks to their streamlined forms and casual dignity.