A pair of German gilt-bronze-mounted rosewood, fruitwood and marquetry commodes attributed to the court cabinet maker Johann Gottlieb Hesse, Dresden circa 1770/1775

each with a moulded top centred by a floral bouquet with a heron and flanked by two smaller ribbon-tied bouquets, above three bombé drawers each decorated with floral sprays within a central shaped cartouche and flanked by two further cartouches, with handles cast with flowers, leaves and rocaille, above a shaped apron mounted with pierced foliage, the shaped sides conformingly decorated, on splayed legs

Christian Friedrich Sergel, Electoral Court Postmaster in Dresden, in the 18th Century;
His daughter Agnes, who in 1818, married the celebrated painter Georg Friedrich Kersting (1785-1847);
Thence by descent until sold Sotheby's, Zürich, 10th December 1997, lot 832;

In overall good original condition. There are restored age cracks to the top of both which have been well executed. There are minor restorations to the veneer and minor stains, marks and scratches throughout consistent with age and use. A rare pair with beautiful detail to the marquetry, can be placed immediately. Recommended.
"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
Dr. Gisela Haase, Sächsische Möbel des 18. Jahrhunderts in Polen, in Jahrbuch der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden 1976/77 (1978) p.172, cat. nr. 5, fig.13-17;  
Dr. Gisela Haase, Dresdner Möbel des 18. Jahrhunderts, Leipzig 1983, p.272, cat. nr. 58 and 59;
Heinrich Kreisel, Die Kunst des Deutschen Möbels, Spätbarock und Rokoko, Vol. II, Munich, 1970, plates 788 and 789;

The offered pair of commodes with their beautiful rosewood veneer and superbly modelled and chased gilt-bronze mounts is a particularly magnificent and important example of the outstanding quality of court cabinet-making in 18th century Dresden. Only very few Dresden marquetry commodes of such elaborate and and superb execution have survived.
- A Dresden commode, slightly earlier in date, with similar floral marquetry decoration is in the Royal Palace in Warsaw. Dr. Gisela Haase illustrates it in her essay Sächsische Möbel des 18. Jahrhunderts in Polen (op.cit.)
- Closely related to our pair is a small commode which was located in Dresden Castle until 1945 and is now in the Museum for Decorative Arts in Pillnitz Castle. The marquetry on this commode with its colourful flowers is identical with the marquetry on the present pair. The Pillnitz commode can also be attributed to Johann Gottlieb Hesse. Inv.Nr.37346 / Haase op. cit. p.149, cat. nr. 58, plate 158,159.
- From the same hand is a pair of commodes which today can also be found in Pillnitz Castle but until 1945 was located in Dresden Castle and prior to that in Moritzburg Castle. The framing of their shaped cartouches, as well as the intricate floral marquetry, are indentical to the pair offered here. Also the gilt-bronze handles of this pair bears a strong resemblance to  the present commodes. Inv.Nr.37648a,b / Haase op.cit. p.149, cat. nr. 59, plate 154

Dresden court cabinet maker Johann Gottlieb Hesse and the influence of the Spindler brothers:
Little is known about Johann Gottlieb Hesse. However, it is documented that in 1771 he was appointed cabinet-maker to the court of Elector Frederick August III of Saxony. He also must have been familiar with the work of the brothers Johann Friedrich Spindler (1726-1799) and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler (1738-circa 1800), which they produced from 1764 in Potsdam for the castles of King Frederick II of Prussia. The wall panelling of the Neue Kammern in Sanssouci which the Spindlers executed prior to 1772, with its floral marquetry entwined with fruits, its characteristic herons and tendrils on brightly coloured ground very much resembles the marquetry on the present pair, it is illustrated by Kreisel, op. cit. plate 788. The layout of the cartouches and their framing can also be found on the writing desk by the Spindler brothers which was executed circa 1767 for the Neues Palais in Potsdam, it is illustrated by Kreisel, op. cit. plate 789. Most likely Johann Gottlieb Hesse actually worked in the workshop of the Spindler brothers in Potsdam until he was received master and subsequently went to Dresden to become court cabinet-maker.

Christian Friedrich Sergel, Electoral Court Postmaster in Dresden:
The pair of commodes offered here, together with another piece by the same maker, which remained in private hands, represent an ensemble which in the 18th century belonged to Electoral Saxon Court Postmaster Christian Friedrich Sergel and his wife Eleonora Sophie. 
Sergel, originally from Waldheim, was appointed postal clerk in Dresden in 1781 and postal revisor in 1782. In 1803, he became controller at the court post ministry and in 1806 finally he was appointed court postmaster. While the pair of commodes was without doubt originally intended for one of the Royal castles it was given to Sergel in recognition of loyal service. In 1818 Sergel's daughter Agnes married the celebrated German artist Georg Friedrich Kersting (1785-1847) and received the pair of commodes as part of her dowry. Until 1997 the commodes remained in the hands of the descendants of G.F.Kersting. 

We are grateful to Dr. Gisela Haase, Dresden for helping with the compilation of this footnote.

There is a written expertise on this pair of commodes by Dr. Henriette Graf, Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten, Berlin, a copy of which in German is available from the department upon request.