A gilt-bronze-mounted brass tortoiseshell and ebony inlaid boulle marquetry and parquetry commode, in the manner of Noël Gérard Régence, circa 1720

with an associated mottled red marble top, above two short and two long drawers; some losses to inlay

Some very minor marks,chips and scratches to the marble top and some very minor water stains. The rear feet at the back have ben strengthened with later wood. The central panel between the two short drawers shows evidence of previously having a drawer internally. The gilding on the mounts is worn and dirty, but could be regilt. There have been attempts to restore the marquetry and parquetry and the brass ground and been replaced with filler. There are several sections of inlay missing and needs restoring. There is a central, later panel in the wooden top beneath the marble. The back panels are held in place with tape and will need attention. There are two cut-outs in the carcass above the lockplate of each short drawer. The brass has lost its engraving. In need of some attention, but once restored this will look most attractive.
"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."

The design of this commode with its gently bowed form and curved canted corners and mounts bears close similaries to commodes which have only been recently attributed to Noël Gérard. Numerous commodes, of which there were thirty-eight examples at a cost of around 100 Livres, are listed in Gérard's inventory of 1736,  sixteen of the aforementioned were `en tombeau' and seven `à la Régence'.
Noël Gérard:
Noël Gérard ébéniste and marchand-mercier active between 1710-1736. He became both an ébéniste and dealer and is recorded as being established in rue du Faubourg-Saint- Antoine in 1719. His business prospered and he soon moved to the hôtel of the financier Jabach at the corner of the rue Saint-Martin in the financial and luxury goods quarter. In addition to his trade as an ébéniste, he became one of the most important marchands-merciers in Paris. His illustrious clientèle included the Comte de Clermont and the ex-King of Poland Stanislas Leczczynski amongst others. He also supplied furniture to foreign ambassadors such as the ambassador of Spain and the Marquis de Castellas.

It is also recorded that ébénistes supplied him with carcasses. He stocked mounts for commodes and actually had bronzes chased in his own workshop for his own furniture.