A Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany commode desserte, late 19th century, in the manner of Guillaume Beneman

One from a pair sold Sotheby's London, Mentmore, Vol. 1, 18 May 1977, lot 58.

Although apparently unsigned, this commode is a very fine quality example of the original commode bearing the initials of Marie-Antoinette and based on a model conceived under the direction of Jean Hauré, Entrepreneur des Meubles de la Couronne and probably executed by Guillaume Stoeckel in 1786. It was bought by the crown from the marchand-mercier Philippe-Ambroise Sauvage for the Salon des Jeux de la Reine at Compiègne that same year. It was subsequently enlarged and re-veneered by Guillaume Benneman (1750 – after 1811) and transferred to the Chambre de la Reine at Saint-Cloud, its present whereabouts unknown. Guillaume Benneman made two copies in 1787 to replace the one formerly at Compiègne; the bronzes and gilding were produced by Claude Galle (1759-1815). The pair is still preserved at Compiègne today (inv. no. OA 5443 and OA 5442).

The design of these commodes by Benneman were evidently highly fashionable and widely desired by collections of the late 19th century as several luxurious and quality commodes of the same design are recorded:
-the other example sold as a pair from Sotheby's, London, Mentmore, Vol. 1, 18 May 1977, lot 58.
-one sold at Christie's, London, 15 July 2020, lot 307 (£40,000)
-one sold at Christie's, New York, 10 October 2016, lot 113 ($131,250)
-a pair sold at Sotheby's New York, 6 November 2008, lot 280 and 281.
-one sold Christie's, New York, 21 October 2008, lot 383 ($86,500).
-one sold Sotheby's, New York, 19 April 2007, lot 148 ($102,000)