A gilt-bronze-mounted tulipwood, amaranth and parquetry commode à deux portes stamped J. Stockel JME Louis XVI, late 18th century

of demi-lune form, with a moulded shaped brèche d'Alep marble top, above three drawers, the stiles inlaid to simulate fluting, with pierced guilloche mounts with berried laurel leaves, flanked by a door enclosing two shelves, the frieze inlaid with lunettes, on tapering legs inlaid to simulate fluting, terminating in toupie feet, the whole inlaid with strapwork panels, the handles in the form of berried laurel wreaths with classical profile medallion backplates

Comparative Literature:
Jean Nicolay, L'Art et la Manière des Maîtres Ebénistes Français du XVIIIe siecle, Vol. I, Paris, 1976. 
Francis Watson, Louis XVI Furniture, London, 1960, fig. 41.

Joseph Stockel was received Master in 1775.

Several pieces by Stockel are illustrated by Nicolay op. cit., who says of him 'Tout ce qui est sorti des mains de Stöckel témoigne de la même conscience et du même souci de perfection professionelle'. He is known to have specialized in demi-lune commodes of this type. Francis Watson,  op. cit, illustrates an example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, fig. 41. It has  identical corner mounts to those on this commode and lunette inlaid frieze.

Stockel was of German origin and settled in Paris in 1769. He supplied many of the leading marchands-merciers and his illustrious clientèle included the Comte de Provence, the brother of Louis XVI. His most celebrated works include the four commodes most probably made for the Comte de Provence which were transformed and copied by Guillaume Beneman into eight new pieces which are conserved respectively in the Louvre, at Fontainebleau and Compiègne.

A related demi-lune commode by Stockel was sold by Mrs Daisy Fellowes in these Rooms, as lot 76, 22nd November 1963.