A Louis XVI gilt-bronze mounted acajou moucheté commode by Joseph Kochly, circa 1785

the white marble top with rounded corners above a panelled frieze drawer with mounted rinceaux and two long drawers veneered sans traverse, with rounded gilt-bronze angles and fluted columnar supports inset with pendants of laurel, raised on toupie feet, stamped I. KOCHLY

Private European Collection;
Until sold Christie's, London, 21 June 2000, lot 80;
with Maurice Segoura

P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIII Siécle, Paris, 2002, p. 507.

A fine and elegant commode in good conserved condition. The marble top with marks and scratches consistent with age and use. The mahogany veneers display a rich patina, the gilt-bronze mounts are in good original condition, with occasional tarnishing. The upper mounts to the front left toupie foot are slightly loose and may benefit from securing , the foot itself is also loose and may benefit form professional attention. There is a secure age crack to the left hand return. An important piece that is ready to be placed.
"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:
P. Kisluk-Grosheide, W. Koeppe, W. Rieder, European Furniture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2006.
Sir F. Watson, Wallace Collection Catalogues: Furniture, London, 1956.
P. Kjellberg, Le mobilier français du XVIII siècle, Paris, 2002.

With its well-proportioned decorative scheme enhanced by an understated acajou moucheté veneer, this commode may well be the finest piece produced or stamped by Joseph Kochly (1748-1798, maître in 1783) an ébéniste active in the cour Saint-Joseph, rue de Charonne, who appears to have otherwise favoured bureaux cylindre in a sombre, late Louis XVI style - all in acajou mouluré - and who also seems to have retailed pieces of furniture by other ébénistes in his magazin.

The finely chased and gilt mounts can be related to those found on a relevant group of furniture stamped by Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806). Most notably, the foliate escutcheons tête de Diane appear on a secrétaire à abattant delivered by Riesener to Queen Marie Antoinette at Versailles in 1783 and now in the Wallace Collection, London (inv. F 303), on a breakfront cabinet in the Royal Collection (RCIN 21211), on a commode in the Metropolitan Museum, New York (1982.60.51), and on an encoigneure in the Chicago Art Institute (1945.185).

Furthermore, the scrolls and acanthus leaves frieze also appear on another secrétaire by Riesener formerly in the collection of the Duchesse de Talleyrand, now in a private collection, on a secrétaire with rounded fluted column angles sold Sotheby’s London, 19 May 1974, lot 74, and on two commodes à encoigneures sold Christie’s Monaco, 3 July 1993, lot 197, and Christie’s New York, 30 October 1993, lot 374, respectively.

Finally, the gilt-bronze frame on the front and sides, marked with rosettes at the corners, typical of Riesener’s oeuvre, is also found on the aforementioned pieces in London, Chicago, and New York. Outside this group the same keyhole escutcheons only appear on a commode stamped Beneman of similar outline with outset rounded corners; it is interesting to note that it was Beneman who replaced Riesener as ébéniste du roi in 1785.