An Italian blue and yellow painted commode in the manner of Francesco Bolgiè, Turin circa 1790

with a veined grey bardiglio marble top above two long drawers

Old very minor marks, chips and scratches to the marble top. Drawers partially re-lined. Minor rubbing to gilt-bronze mounts which are of a nice quality. Some minor internal restorations to the carcass. Old very minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age. There are some vertical construction cracks and some finer hairline construction cracks due to shrinkage and commensurate with age on the sides, which can either be left or filled. The blocks beneath the marble top have been replaced. In overall good conserved condition.
"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:
E. Colle, Il Mobile Neoclassico in Italia, Arredi e Decorazioni d'Interni dal 1775 al 1800,  Milan, 2005, pp. 434-435.
G. Ferraris, Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo e la scultura decorativa in legno a Torino nel periodo neoclassico (1770-1830), Turin, 1991, p. 80.
G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Neoclassico Italiano, Milan, 1955, Tav. LXXIX.
V.Viale, Mostra del Barocco Piemontese, Turin, 1963, Vol. III, plate 211, 214a .

This elegant commode of elongated form in subtle pastel shades of  blue and yellow with its strong architectural outline is reminiscent of the work emanating from the circle of Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo, in  particular Francesco Bolgiè, in the last decades of the 18th century. Bolgiè was a carver at the Court of the King of Sardinia and was active until at least 1825. Bolgiè was known as a pre-eminent maker of commodes, consoles and corner cupboards.

See a painted and gilded commode of similar outline, although more sumptuous with profuse carving by Francesco Bolgiè, in the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, originally in the Castello della Veneria Reale, in the apartment of the Duke d'Aosta, illustrated by Ferraris, op. cit., p. XXVIII, Tav. 28.

Colle, op. cit., p. 101, illustrates a design for an elongated two drawer commode with fluted stiles on turned tapering legs, by Carlo Randoni, circa 1788, now in the Biblioteca Civica Turin, reproduced here in fig.1.

A painted commode attributed to Francesco Bolgiè, after a drawing by Piacenza, (the name of Sig. Bolgiè, as the executor of the commode appears on the drawing), of similar outline was sold in these Rooms, from the estate of the late Giuseppe Rossi, 10th-12th March 1999, lot 75.