During the 18th century, the north of Italy was very much infuenced by French fashion and taste, and this had particular impact on the decorative arts. The northern territories, like the kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia or the Great-Dukedom of Tuscany not only imported works of art from France, but also many artists came looking for work, which naturally had a deep impact and influence on local artists and craftsmen.

Therefore, furniture made in these parts of Italy, during the mid 18th century, often exhibited idiosyncratic interpretations of the French styles, particularly the Lousi XV taste and the rococo spirit prevalent at this time. This commode is a fine example of this blend of foreign influences with local craftsmanship, interpretation and materials.

Giallo de Siena, of which the top is made, is a fine-grained calcareous limestoen of Jurassic age, weakly metamorphosed in Eocene times. It is coloured by finely disseminated geothite and contains abundant stylolites and some white calcite-filled veins.  The famous egg-yolk marble of Siens has been used extensively all across Italy and farther afield since at least the 16th century. At its finest, it rivals the famous giallo antico of Tunisia for translucency and richness of colour. The best stone comes from Montarrente in the Montagnola Senese mountains, near the town of Sovicille. Siena marble has been exported all over the world - fine examples include the twenty four columns in the court Chamber of the US Supreme Court in Washington DC and the decoration of the Birmingham Oratory in England built in the early 1900s.