A Louis XV ormolu-mounted polychrome lacquer commode circa 1745-49, stamped P. Roussel, JME, the ormolu bearing the C couronné poinçon

with a serpentine-fronted molded marble top above two drawers sans traverse, raised on cabriole legs fitted with foliate ormolu chutes ending in ormolu sabots; the front and sides decorated with chinoiserie lacquer panels incorporating birds perched on a variety of flowering branches and still-life motifs in multicolors on a black ground outlined with a stylized Greek key border.

Attractive small scale commode - this is part of a collection which has been owned for the last 40 years and has not received any recent restoration. The commode exhibits wear consistent with age and use including but not limited to losses to the decoration on each side and on the legs some of which is visible in the catalogue illustration. The drawer fronts are in better overall condition with some minor wear to the edges as can be seen in the detailed photograph on page 86. The commode would benefit from, and certainly merits, some expert restoration.
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.

Pierre Roussel (1723-1782), the son of a cabinet-maker, established his workshop on rue de Charenton where he rapidly became well known.  By 1769 he was cited as "l'un des premiers ébénistes" in Paris.  One of his principal patrons was the Prince de Condé for whom Roussel supplied furniture both for the Palais Royal and the Château de Chantilly.  The majority of Roussel's work was executed in a fully developed Louis XV style and included a great number of commodes which primarily seem to have been executed with wood veneers.  There are, however, a number of lacquer commodes recorded, the great majority of which were executed using vernis Martin in imitation of Chinese and Japanese lacquer.  It is also noteworthy that Roussel seems to have produced quite a large number of small commodes which, like the present example, are sparsely mounted, the emphasis being on the treatment and decorative quality of the veneers.