A George III satinwood marquetry commode

with a central frieze drawer above a door, the drawer stamped Edwards & Roberts

This piece is in `country house' condition. The colour and patination are both fair. The top is slightly warped with some consequent losses to stringing around the edge. The top right hand side return has a small detached section of veneer. There are some losses and old repairs to the crossbanding particularly along the outer edge and some pitting and old worm damage in places. There is an age crack to the top right hand side. The left hand side has some age cracks and minor warping. There is a small section of moulding above the rear left hand pilaster missing. The bottom of this pilaster has a small replaced section of moulding. The drawer has a replaced brass escutcheon. The cupboard door is slightly warped and there is no brass escutcheon to the lock. There is a small patch on the bottom right hand side of the door. There are losses and replaced sections of mouldings to the top of all the legs. The back right hand leg has old worm damage. The interior is rather scratched. The piece will restore well.
"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."

A very similar pair of commodes, evidently by the same maker sold Christie's London, 9 July 1992, lot 111. A related commode, inlaid with Etruscan tablets and a `pearled' edge to the top, is illustrated in Percy Macquoid, A History of English Furniture, The Age of Satinwood, London, 1908, fig. 158 and a further variation of this design, recorded at Badminton  is illustrated in  Lucy Wood, The Lady Lever Catalogue of Commodes, 1994, p. 232, fig. 222. For other commodes belonging to this group, see Christoper Claxton Stevens and Stewart Whittington, 18th Century English Furniture, The Norman Adams Collection, 1983, colour plate 39; and Connoisseur, October 1959, p. xxxi, advertised by Mallett's.

It is interesting to note that the Badminton Commode which is related to a group of commodes attributed to Mayhew and Ince (see Lucy Wood, op. cit, p. 222), shares characteristics generally associated with furniture produced by that firm. In particular these are epitomised by the darker bandings framing the panels to the front which are echoed to the stiles and tapered square legs.  These are paralleled on a commode sold Sotheby's London, 7 July 2009, lot 45 which was also identified as having affinities with Ince and Mayhew's work. Furthermore the oval marquetry  medallions to the top and front of the commode here, are comparable with those found on a group of cabinets associated with the émigré furniture-maker Christopher Fuhrlohg who had links with Ince and Mayhew. It is conceivable that London cabinet-making firms such as Ince and Mayhew bought in ready-made marquetry from makers such as Fuhrlohg and his compatriot Johann Christian Linning, to augment their own work (see Lucy Wood op. cit., p. 216).

Edwards & Roberts were among the foremost English cabinet-makers of the second half of the 19th century. Founded in 1845, the firm rapidly expanded and by 1854 was trading as `Edwards and Roberts, 21 Wardour street, Antique and Modern Cabinet Makers and Importers of Ancient Furniture' As well as making their own furniture inspired by 18th century prototypes, the firm retailed antique furniture, often applying their stamp or trade label as exemplified by the offered lot.