Weisweiler, who like a number of other ébénistes was born in the Rheinland, was one of the most talented and successful ébénistesin eighteenth-century Paris. Working in a refined Neoclassical manner, his pieces of furniture were sold through marchands-merciers both to the crown and to members of the French nobility as well as to foreign royalty. This commode, together with a matching pair of secretaries also in the Museum's collection, belonged to King Ferdinand IV of Naples and was used in his writing cabinet at Caserta. Oak veneered with Japanese lacquer and European japanning, ebony, gilt–bronze mounts, violet brocatelle marble top