A gilt-bronze-mounted kingwood and parquetry commode in the manner of Etienne Doirat Régence, circa 1725, partly remounted

of serpentine form, with a moulded liver and grey mottled marble top, above two short and one long drawer, the knees surmounted by a female espagnolette mask terminating in acanthus, the shaped apron with stylised scallopshells and cabriole legs terminating in scroll feet, the quarter-veneered sides with a pierced scroll and foliate motif

Colour less orange and more attractive and natural than in the catalogue photograph. The mounts are of an attractive golden colour. Old restorations to the marble top which are hardly noticeable due to the mottling of the marble. Some minor chips along the rear edge of the marble top, but these are not too noticeable and do not detract from the piece. Some very minor restorations to veneer which have been very well executed and are hardly noticeable. There is a miniscule section of veneer missing beneath the left drawer which can easily be replaced. There are a couple of hairline cracks in veneer of drawers but these are hardly noticeable and can be left. The mounts have been regilded. In overall very good conserved condition. An impressive strong model at a reasonable estimate.
"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:
Alexandre Pradère, French Furniture Makers, The Art of the Ebéniste from Louis XIV to the Revolution, Tours, 1989, pp. 121-123.

This commode can be attributed to the ébéniste Etienne Doirat (circa 1675-1732) on the basis of stylistic similarities with other commodes by this maker. Doirat is rare among Régence cabinet-makers for having stamped a good number of pieces that he produced. This together with the exclusivity of his ormolu mounts assists in attributing pieces to him.

For a related commode, see Arts of France, Christie's, New York, 2nd November 2000, lot 207.

Etienne Doirat (circa 1675-1732):
He is recorded in the Grand-Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine at the time of his marriage in 1704. He moved to the rue Saint-Marguerite in 1711 and back to the Grand-Rue in 1720. He set up his workshop in 1726 in the Cour de la Contrescarpe-des-Fossées-de-la-Bastille and in 1731 he leased a store in the rue Saint-Honoré, a fashionable address for luxury retailers, probably to market his furniture better. The inventory following his death in 1732 is published by J-D Augarde, 'E. Doirat, Menuisier en ébène,' The J. Paul Getty Museum Journal, Vol. XIII, 1985, pp. 33-52. The inventory reveals the scope of his production, including not only commodes but also bureaux plats, bookcases, night-tables and encoignures.