A fine early Louis XV ormolu-mounted bois satiné and kingwood parquetry commode circa 1735, attributed to Jacques-Philippe Carel

with a serpentine-fronted brèche d'Alep marble top above two long drawers sans traverse, raised on cabriole legs fitted with elaborate ormolu chutes cast with C-scrolls, shell motifs, laurel leaves and flowerheads, continuing to foliate ormolu sabots; the front and sides with quartered and cross-banded bois satiné on kingwood grounds; fitted with scrolled ormolu mounts forming a cartouche incorporating handles and a keyhole escutcheon, the front and sides outlined with ormolu banding marked at the corners with clasps.



The top of the carcase with black ink inscription 990, and a black pencil inscription 33973.

By repute acquired from the collection of the Earl of Rosebery, Mentmore Castle, England.

Rosenberg & Stiebel, New York

Very good condition. Unlined. Minor restorations to the veneer, with very small losses to the veneer in areas. Under UV: No inpainting apparent. In otherwise good conditon. Minor surface abrasions to the marble top consistent with age and use.
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.

An identical commode stamped by Carel, mounted with slightly different corner mounts is illustrated, A. Pradère, Les ébénistes Français de Louis XIV à la révolution, Paris, 1989, p. 141, fig. 108.  This forms the basis for the attribution to Carel of not only the present example, but also a third which is in the Residenzmuseum, Munich.  The commode in the Residenz (illustrated opposite) which bears an 18th century trade label for the Paris dealer Edme Calley, is identical in all respects to the present commode.  It first appears in the inventories of the Residenz in 1769, see, B. Langer, Die Möbel der Residenz München, Vol. I, 1995, p. 29 and pp. 780-80.  These three commodes are the only ones of their type which have been recorded to date.

Another comparable commode stamped Carel of similar outline to the present example, is fitted with identical ormolu chutes (illustrated, Pradère, op. cit. p. 141, fig. 109), and a second stamped Carel veneered with Chinese lacquer, has identical chutes and a virtually identical apron mount.  Each of these examples is fitted with ormolu borders around the front, marked at the corners with clasps. 

Little appears to be known of Carel's early life other than his birth in Paris in 1688.  It is thought that he spent some time working in the workshop of Thomas Hache in Grenoble before returning to Paris to acquire his maîtrise.  He received this in 1723 when eight new masterships were created on the coronation of Louis XV.  Carel produced furniture of extremely high quality, often in a style similar to Charles Cressent and Jean-Pierre Latz.  Through Antoine-Robert Gaudreaus who was the supplier of the royal garde-meuble, Carel delivered at least three pieces for the court, the first in 1748 for the bedchamber of Madame de Pompadour at the château de la Muette, and two in 1751 for Mesdames Sophie and Louise de France for their apartments at Versailles.