- 117
A German white painted and carved giltwood commode mid 18th century
Description
- 102cm. high, 167cm. wide; 3ft. 4in., 5ft. 5¾in.
Catalogue Note
The present commode, with its combination of bold rococo carving in parcel-gilt on an ivory ground, is inspired by the designs of François Cuvilliés from his `Livre de Differents Desseins de Commodes' (1742-45). He was one of the leading German rococo architects and designers in the 18th century whose work inspired many craftsmen. He became court architect in Munich in 1728 and was responsible for the interiors in the Residenz, Munich (1727-1729) and the Amalienburg in the Park of Nymphenburg (1734-1739). From 1738 until his death, he published a series of engravings of designs for ornament, boiseries and furniture sometimes derived from the publications of Lajoue and other French contemporaries. These engravings were available throughout Germany and must have inspired the maker of the present commode. For a similar commode, see Heinrich Kreisel, Die Kunst der Deutschen Möbels, Vol.II, Munich, 1970, fig. 439.