A pair of Italian painted and parcel-gilt commodes, Venetian circa 1760

each with later faux-marble shaped top above conforming body with two long drawers on a green ground with burnished gilt cartouche panels, the canted corners with carved and gilt flowers and the sides decorated with burnished gilt rococo cartouches, on cabriole legs and claw and ball feet joined by shell carved aprons

These grand commodes have had a conservation intervention, probably in the first half of the 20th century, when the painted tops have been replaced. The surface was also extensively re-decorated and re-gilt. Incised designs on drawers cartouches are very worn, some areas unnoticeable. There are marks and scratches consistent with use and age and losses to gilding. Losses to carvings to upper section moulding, to corner of one leg and to one foot. Old metal brackets to legs helping to support the weight of the body. Shrinking cracks to drawers and side and tops. Drawers possibly re-lined and tops with losses to paint. They are very attractive with a imposing presence and if restored would look even more impressive. Please note correct measurements are - each 95cm. high, 163cm. wide, 80cm. deep; 3ft. 1in., 5ft. 3in., 3ft. 7 ½in - and not as stated in the catalogue.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

With their impresive scale, the model of this pair of commodes is quite rare in the context of Venetian commodes, where the bombé shape is the archetypical form. Nonetheless, they are quintessentially Rococo pieces, with their serpentine fronts and sides combined with a conforming upright body, more commonly seen on veneered cabinet furniture.
The body of these commodes, with their faux green marble ground, sits on a more organic support - the shell carved apron and cabriole legs - an unusual juxtaposition that can be seen in the celebrated chinoiserie green lacquered commode, today in the collection of Venice’s Cà Rezzonnico (see Saul Levy, Lacche Veneziane Settecentesche, 1967, vol. I, tav.62-63), which has a similarly shaped body and gilt decoration. Another rare feature is the design of the drawer fronts with their gilt cartouches, subtly incised with floral motifs.