A very important German yewwood, maple and fruitwood engraved marquetry commode, Berlin, attributed to Friedrich and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler Rococo, circa 1760-1770

the moulded serpentine-shaped top inlaid with flowering twigs and banding, above two bomé-shaped drawers inlaid with marquetry, bombé-shaped sides inlaid en suite, on splay feet

Michael Raimund Freiherr von Stillfried auf Glatz und Neurode (Neurode 1726 - 1796 Rückers), married to Caroline Giese of Golnow; thence by descent to the present owner. According to family tradition this commode was a present given by King Frederick the Great of Prussia to Michael Raimund Freiherr von Stillfried (1726-1796). At the age of 15 he joined the Prussian army whilst his brother Johann Stephan pursued a military career on the Austrian side. Michael excelled on several occasions and was seriously wounded at the battle of Torgau in 1760. Subsequently he was retired from active service. It is a remarkable proof of King Frederick the Great's sympathy for Baron Stillfried that his Majesty corresponded regularly over a longer period with the baron. In September 1780 the king also enfeoffed Baron von Stillfried with the village of Borganie in Silesia, thus rewarding his loyal service.

 

Bergmann, Ute-Christiane, A Spindler marquetry Floor. Working Conditions of the Spindler workshops in Potsdam, in: van Duin, Paul/van Loosdrecht, Dominique/Wheeler, David, ed., Historic Interiors. Conservation, Restoration and Reconstruction. 5^th international Symposium on Wood and Furniture Conservation, Amsterdam 2000, pp. 29-34; Kreisel, Heinrich/Himmelheber, vol. 2, pp. 229-32, ill. 715-7, 790-6; Sangl, Sigrid, Das Spindler-Kabinett. Ein Kleinod deutscher Ebenistenkunst aus Schloss Fantaisie, in: Weltkunst, vol. LXX, 2000, pp. 1368-71; Sangl, Sigrid, Spindler? In: Furniture History, vol. XXVII, 1991, pp. 22-66; Stillfried, Rudolph von, ed., Geschichtliche Nachrichten vom Geschlechte Stillfried, vol. 1, Berlin 1870, pp. 340-5.

Handles probably original, but mounted upside down, one handle needs to be re-stuck in a better way, but is there. Other mounts of later date. Some small renewed parts to front drawers. Overall with restorations to veneer, lower drawer with very minor chips to veneer. The internal front rest of lower drawer renewed, but in a very professional way, hardly visible. In good restored condition, ready to place.
"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."

Overall shape and flower marquetry of this commode are very similar to several pieces created by Johann Friedrich (1726-1812) and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler (1738-1788) on commission of King Frederick the Great of Prussia (1712-1786). Together with their elder brother Jacob (1724-1792) these two youngest sons of Johann Spindler (1691-1770) worked on the famous Marquetry Chamber of castle Fantaisie near Bayreuth in the early 1760ies. The surviving panels of this boiserie decoration are now preserved at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich. In 1764 Johann Friedrich and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler moved to Potsdam. As Hofebenisten the brothers were entrusted with parts of the furnishings for the Neues Palais in Potsdam, including boiserie panels and commodes showing the very characteristics of the pieces offered here.