A George II mahogany and rosewood bombé commode Circa 1755

on casters, the interior to one short drawer with various penciled inscriptions 6018, Sabbath RO... and Brett twice.

Good restored condition; the top with age crack at center with subsequent tearing to veneers and cross-banding and with minor lifting in places; the brushing slide with an age crack and slight separation now with a shim; side panels with tearing to the veneers with minor chips and patches to the cross-bandings; some patches to cross-banded veneers especially to veneers of drawer dividers; some minor losses and patches to cock-beading of drawer fronts; the left back plate to handle of top long drawer replaced; hardware appears contemporary with the chest of drawers; repaired age crack to drawer bottoms; the back right foot with old glue to the joints and with a small wood batten; the underside with some minor old worm damage to corner blocks; the backboards appear to be replaced; casters appear to be original; overall with some old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The French word 'commode' is first found in the Dictionnaire de Trévoux in 1708, described as a low armoire with drawers, the form based on the Medici tomb in Florence.  An early bombé commode, circa 1740, is illustrated in Macquoid and Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev. ed., 1954 vol. II, p. 109, fig. 1.  Chippendale's design in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754, pl. CXXIX, for a bombé 'Tea chest' corresponds to the present commode and is similar to a George II mahogany and ebony bombé chest sold, Christie's, London, November 29, 2001, lot 10, and a George II mahogany bureau, sold, Sotheby's, London, February 12, 1988, lot 51.   A related George II padouk and sabicu kneehole desk, possibly by Wright and Elwick, was sold, Christie's, London, November 19, 1992, lot 54.  A George III mahogany cylinder-bureau of bombé form, possibly by Wright and Elwick, was sold, Christie's, London, July 6, 2000, lot 143.

A George III mahogany cupboard with identical handles, attributed to William Vile and now in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is illustrated, Macquoid and Edwards, op. cit., vol. II, p. 166, fig. 24, and A. Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, 1968, fig. 11.  It is interesting to note that on the facing page of Coleridge the bureau cabinet made by Vile for Queen Charlotte in 1761 has a bombé base as well.