A pair of Italian gilt-bronze-mounted alabaster veneered topped tulipwood, giallo Angelino, stained fruitwood and marquetry commodes, Roman, late 18th century

each with a rectangular gilt-bronze banded alabaster veneered top above two long drawers centred by a ribbon-tied medallion with a neo-classical baluster vase within a ribboned border entwined on a fasces with a gilt-bronze roundel at each corner, with similarly inlaid sides on cabriole legs terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet

In overall good conserved condition. The colour of the wood is much less orange and more natural and the colour of the marble tops are slightly darker and more reddish in colour and the gilt-bronze mounts less greenish and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The choice of marble is most attractive. Both drawer fronts slightly warped. Scattered hairline age cracks generally which do not detract from the piece and are commensurate with age. Old minor marks, chips and scratches generally and very minor areas of restoration and some very minor losses to the veneer which can easily be restored. The gilt-bronze mounts are a bit dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There are some old very minor chips to the marble tops. There are some losses to the marble veneer especially to the edges of the tops. Both marble have been restored and strengthened on the underside. There is a horizontal crack in the sides of both commodes which are not too noticeable and can easily be filled .
"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."

Comparative Literature:
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Neoclassico in Italia, Arredi e Decorazioni d’Interni dal 1775 al 1800, Milan, 2005, pp. 124-125, no. 21.
Alvar González-Palacios, Il Gusto dei Principi, Milan, 1993, Vol. I, p. 225 and Vol. II, fig. 461, p. 232.

This pair of very refined commodes should be studied  in relation to a pair of corner cabinets illustrated by Colle, op. cit., p. 125, no. 124 (sold Sotheby’s Milan, 19^th June 2002, lot 431). The illustrated corner cabinet of Roman manufacture and dating to the end of the 18^th century shows a very similarly gilt-bronze bordered alabaster top, contrast of light and dark woods, identical meandering ribbon entwined on a fasce and inlaid at the stiles with a patera (although the doors are decorated with monochrome painted neo-classical scenes). Colle also states op. cit., that the style of the corner cabinets is close to the sober taste of Tommaso Cappelletti and Giovanni Ermans around 1789 and 1790. The contrast of lighter woods is a feature imported by German cabinet-makers working in Rome such as Ermans.

These commodes are reminiscent of the work by the cabinet-maker Ivo Livinec (active 1734-circa 1797) who used to work with Luigi Valadier (1726-1785)  who provided the mounts.