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A LOUIS XIV GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED PREMIÈRE-PARTIE BRASS AND TURTLESHELL BOULLE MARQUETRY AND EBONY COMMODE, CIRCA 1710 |
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- 83cm. high, 128cm. wide, 65.5cm. deep; 2ft. 8 3/4 in., 4ft. 2 1/2 in., 2ft. 1 3/4 in.
the top depicting the Triumph of Bacchus, above four drawers decorated in the style of Bérain, later feet and handles
Condition
This attractive commode is in overall good conserved condition. It has lost its original feet and feet mounts and has replaced handles. Restoration to marquetry is visible in parts as expected but retaining particularly good engraving especially to the top, which shows an accomplished design. Top with minor losses to tortoiseshell which has been filled and very minor lifting to brass. Feet can easily be reverted to original design by professional restorer, but present state doesn't distract. One key.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This present commode is part of a group of similar furniture pieces dating from around 1700-1720 and traditionally attributed to the ébéniste Nicolas Sageot (1666-1731). In Sageot's times, stamps were still a rarity, and are therefore rarely conclusive as regards to the actual maker of a piece, which was the product of several artisans: carpenters for the carcass, marqueteurs and bronziers.
Furthermore, it was not unusual for marchand-ébénistes such as Sageot or Gérard to provide marqueteurs with raw materials that would be returned in the form of panels ready to be fitted on to the carcass of the piece. Some of the larger panels could, in effect, be interchangeable; for example, those normally found on the armoires are also found on the sides of most commodes. The top of the present commode is particularly rare among contemporary examples, which were then typically designed after drawings by Jean Berain: gently rounded, the central scene represents the Triumph of Bacchus, a subject popularized in the 1620s by Diego Velázquez and then re-appropriated by painters such as Nicolas Poussin and Francesco Albani. The top of a commode recently on the French market is almost identical to the present example, however in contre partie.
Interestingly, the front-drawer marquetry with the dragon-like creatures is nearly identical to that found on the commode aforementioned and on another sold Sotheby's London, 15 June 1990, lot 6.
Furthermore, it was not unusual for marchand-ébénistes such as Sageot or Gérard to provide marqueteurs with raw materials that would be returned in the form of panels ready to be fitted on to the carcass of the piece. Some of the larger panels could, in effect, be interchangeable; for example, those normally found on the armoires are also found on the sides of most commodes. The top of the present commode is particularly rare among contemporary examples, which were then typically designed after drawings by Jean Berain: gently rounded, the central scene represents the Triumph of Bacchus, a subject popularized in the 1620s by Diego Velázquez and then re-appropriated by painters such as Nicolas Poussin and Francesco Albani. The top of a commode recently on the French market is almost identical to the present example, however in contre partie.
Interestingly, the front-drawer marquetry with the dragon-like creatures is nearly identical to that found on the commode aforementioned and on another sold Sotheby's London, 15 June 1990, lot 6.