A fine George III part-ebonized inlaid mahogany serpentine-fronted bombé commode attributed to Henry Hill of Marlborough circa 1775

The serpentine top above a conforming bombé case fitted with a brushing slide above three graduated long drawers, the shaped serpentine apron above splayed feet.

Godson Coles, London, 2004

Overall good condition; the edges and cockbeading with some wear and losses to the ebonized surfaced; the side panels each with thing vertical age cracks; handles to the drawer fronts replaced and with small patches to the veneers where previous handles were fixed; two small veneer patches above the top drawer at the corners; the front right corner edge of the commode with a small veneer patch; overall the color and the surface is beautiful and with wonderful figuring to the mahogany. The drawers maintaining their original blue-paper linings.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Henry Hill worked as a cabinetmaker, decorator, auctioneer, furnisher, estate agent and representative of the Sun Insurance Company in Marlborough, Wiltshire, from the early 1740s until his death in 1778, when the business was taken over by his assistant Samuel Hilliker.  Despite his provincial origins, Hill worked for some of the most sophisticated patrons of his day.  A major London client was Sir John, later Lord, Deleval, whose commission is recorded in a number of letters between himself and Hilliker of Seaton Delaval (see L. Wood, 'Furniture for Lord Delaval,' Journal of the Furniture History Society, 1990, vol. XXVI, pp. 198-222).  Most of his known clients appear to have resided in his immediate area, and included the 9th Duke of Somerset at Maiden Bradley, whose purchases in 1770-1771 amounted to £227 10s 3d.  Other clients included Paul Methuen of Corsham Court, whose accounts show an expenditure of £1300 between 1760 and 1778, Arabella Calley of Burderop Park, near Swindon and Henry Hoare at Stourhead.  A commode attributed to Hill with parquetry and floral marquetry serpentine top, keeled front angles with French style gilt-metal chutes continuing to sabots, shaped apron, straight sides and ebonized borders was sold in these rooms, October 23, 1998, lot 345; another attributed to Hill, almost certainly supplied to Edward Seymour, 9th Duke of Somerset for Maiden Bradley, was sold, Christie's London, November 28, 2002, lot 120; see also Hotspur: Eighty Years of Antiques Dealing, London, 2004, p. 49 (detail), p. 53, fig. 2, p. 56; another brass-mounted mahogany and gonçalo alves commode attributed to Hill was sold, Sotheby's London, The Norman Adams Collection, April 21, 2009, lot 84.

See:
G. Beard and C. Gilbert (eds.), The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, p. 430
L. Wood, The Lady Lever Art Gallery Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, pp. 64-73 (this publication has the most comprehensive account of the work of Henry Hill and is the primary source for the above footnote)