Belgian regional commodes: Liège, Namur, Flanders

Eighteenth-century furniture from Liège is among the most recognisable in Europe: solid blond oak, frank carving of shells and scrollwork, powerful cabriole legs. It translates Parisian forms into a local material, without veneer.

Namur favours a soberer line, gently bombé fronts and more discreet hardware. Flanders keeps the tradition of large panelled armoires and two-part cupboards for longer.

A useful marker: the wood of backs and drawers. Old Belgian pieces often use oak throughout, including where Parisian workshops would have used pine or poplar.

These commodes are still undervalued compared with equivalent French production, although their execution is often superior. It remains open hunting ground.