A Dutch gilt-bronze-mounted kingwood, tulipwood, amaranth, burr walnut, marquetry and parquetry commode third quarter 18th Century

of bombé serpentine form, with a later moulded breccia marble top above three long drawers inlaid with a rocailled cartouche with a ribbon-tied floral spray with carnations, lillies and roses, flanked by trelliswork enclosing flowerheads on a cube parquetry ground with similarly inlaid sides on splayed legs terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet

Formerly with Bernard Stodel, Amsterdam

Colour less orange and more natural and attractive than in the catalogue illustration. Corner mounts have been regilt in the past and the handles and feet have lost much of their original gilding. The band of guilloche on the knees has been touched up with reddish gilt paint. The lockplate on the bottom drawer is missing. Some very minor veneer losses and restorations, but these are hardly noticeable and are commensurate with age. There are however some larger restorations to the rear stiles. The dipped apron on the right side has had a break which has recently been restored. Very attractive detail to the marquetry. An impressive piece in overall good original condition.
"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:
R. Baarsen, Andries Bongen (ca. 1732-1792) en Franse invloed op de Amsterdamse kastenmakerij in de tweede helft van de achttiende eeuw, in Oud Holland, The Netherlands Institute of Art History,1988, 102, illustrated p. 24, pl. 3 & p. 31, pl.6.

Whilst it is not possible to attribute this commode to a particular maker, this fine commode in the French manner is conceived in similar vein to the work of the Dutch cabinet-makers such as Andries Bongen (ca. 1732-1792)  who was working in Amsterdam and Matthijs Horrix (1735-1809) in the Hague.

It is recorded that Bongen placed an advertisement in the Amsterdamsche Courant of 4th December 1766, describing three pieces `in the  French manner' and Reiner Baarsen op.cit., states that this is the first announcement of an 18th century Dutch cabinet-maker working in the French style.

The detailed naturalistic marquetry and fine engraving and the bouquet of flowers were usually inspired by contemporary engravings. The tradition for Dutch marquetry harks back to the outstanding 17th century Dutch marqueteurs such as van Meckeren and Pierre Gole. It is also worthwhile noting that Baarsen states that extant documentary material would seem to suggest that furniture mounts were hardly ever made in Holland in the latter part of the 18th century and many mounts were imported from English manufacturers working in the French style.