A near pair of Spanish gilt-bronze-mounted ebonised and parcel-gilt mahogany commodes, Mallorca first quarter 19th century and later

each with a rectangular white marble top with a projecting frieze drawer one mounted with a sistrum motif amongst swags, anthemions and foliage above two recessed long drawers, one headed by leaf cast corbel, the other with gilt-bronze composite capitals mounted with an acanthus leaf on winged lion, one on winged eagle front feet, the other with eagle heads, on bracket rear feet, on concave-fronted rectangular plinths with foliate cast gilt-bronze handles and escutcheons

Palacio de Truyols, Palma de Mallorca, see fig. 2, for a photograph of one of the commodes in situ.
Castillo de Bendinat, Mallorca, Christie's, House Sale, 24th May, 1999, lot 197.

 

Colour of mahogany less red and more natural and the gilt-bronze mounts are more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. Old very minor, marks chips and scratches to marble tops which are slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean. The mounts are also slightly dirty, but are nicely cast and would benefit from a light clean according to taste.The drawers have been re-lined. Attractive flaming to the mahogany on the drawers. Some very minor chips to the front feet, which are lacking their front paws. Some craquelure to the mahogany, especially the sides, which are more faded on the lower part than the rest and there is some bubbling of the veneer on the left side of the commode with the eagle feet. There is an old restoration to the veneer to the top front right corner of one which is a lighter colour and unpolished and there are some minor restorations to the veneer generally. There is some paint spotting on one of the plinths and some staining and old marks, scratches and restored cracks to both. Backs repainted. In otherwise good condition and highly decorative.
"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:
L. Feduchi, El Meuble espagnol, Barcelona, 1969, fig. 231, p. 242. 
J.Massot Ramis d'Ayreflor, El moble a les Illes Balears segles XIII-XIX, Majorca, 1995, p. 238.

This form of commode, described as 'Commode antique, en acajou, ornemans en Or et Bronze' was illustrated in Pierre de La Mesangre, 'Collection de Meubles et Objets de Gôut', 1802, pl.10. The unusual feet are very close to a drawing by Sacanell, in the manner of Adrian Ferran, illustrated p. 200, d'Ayeflor, op. cit., reproduced here in fig. 1.
A commode with similar feet is illustrated by Ramos d'Ayreflor, op. cit., p. 238.

See a pair of related commodes, sold from the Peter Zervudachi Collection, in these Rooms, 10th-11th June 1998, lot 296.