A gilt-bronze-mounted black and gilt Chinese lacquer commode stamped Macret twice Louis XV, circa 1750

the molded Sarrancolin marble top above a bombé front containing two drawers sans traversé, the front and the sides decorated with Chinese lacquer representing figures in an architectural setting at the front and mountainous landscapes to the sides within a gilt-bronze border decorated with scrolls and flowerhead, raised on cabriole legs terminating in gilt-bronze sabots

Collection of Baron Ludovic-Napoléon Lepic (1839-1889);
Sale Paris, Chevallier, Galerie Geoges Petit, 18th June 1897, lot 46 (illustrated);
Collection of Francis Guéraut, his sale Paris 16th May 1935, lot 93;
Sotheby's New York, 13-15th October 1983, lot 448 (sold for $150.000);
Galerie Aveline, Paris;
Private  European Collection;
Christie's Paris, 16th December 2009, lot 383 where bought by the present owner for 355.000 Euros;

 

Comte François de Salverte, Les ebenistes du XVllle siecle, Paris 1985, plate XLIV;
Jean Nicolay, L'Art et La Manière des Maîtres Ebénistes Français au XVIIIe Siècle, Paris 1976, p. 307, fig. A;
Thibault Wolvesperges, Le Meuble Français en laque au XVIIIème siècle, Paris, 2000, p. 293, fig. 159;
Pierre Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 2002, p. 588, fig. D;

In overall very good conserved condition. There are two vertical age cracks to lacquer panel on the right sidea dn some minor re-touching to the lacquer. Minor cracks, marks and scratches to the lacquer throughout consistent with age and use. An impressive piece.
"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."

This magnificent commode is the quintessence of a lacquered French piece of furniture. Lacquered furniture by Parisian master cabinetmakers is definitely one of the most fascinating areas of luxury 18th century furniture, alongside with Boulle marquetry furniture with panels of pietre dure or plaques of Sèvres porcelain.
Only a handful of other commodes of the same type by Macret are known.
A related, although smaller, commode by Macret was sold Sotheby's Paris, 10th November 2009, lot 96 for 228,750 Euros.
Another commode attributed to Macret, of smaller dimensions and less elaboretly decorated lacquer panels but enriched with bronzes of exactly the same model - not only chutes but also the encadrements and tablier - formerly in the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Judah was first sold Sotheby's London, 28th November 1988, lot 13 for £220,000 and subsequently sold again Christie's New York, 2nd November 2000, lot 54 for $941,000; see fig. 1. A further commode in red lacquer, unstamped and traditionally associated with the oeuvre of B.V.R.B. but now reattributed to Pierre Macret, is in the Musée du Louvre (donation M. et Mme. Grog, 1973, Inv. OA 10457). This latter commode was exhibited in Louis XV, Un Moment de Perfection de l'Art Français, hôtel de la Monnaie, Paris, 1974, no.434.
The exceptional dimensions and quality of the offered commode leave no doubt that it must have been commissioned by a first-rate art lover. Perhaps the Marquis de Marigny or Dauphine Marie-Joséphe de Saxe, both loyal clients of him, were the commissioners of this piece..
 
Pierre Macret (1727-circa 1796):
Macret married at the age of 20 and, in December 1756 became marchand-ébéniste privilégié du Roi suivant la cour et conseils de sa majesté, replacing the widow of Latz. The records of the marchand-mercier Lazare Duvaux reveal a debt of 1169 livres to Macret by December 1758. Newspaper advertisements reveal that he worked in the rue Saint Honoré in the hotel d'Auvergne, close to Saint Roch, in 1763. He made embroidery frames as well as small chiffonnières with floral marquetry.

The marquis de Marigny, Directeur des Bâtiments, bought 1890 livres worth of furniture from him in 1770. In 1771 Macret changed his status and became marchand-mercier in Paris. He was fournisseur ordinaire des menus-plaisirs du Roi from 1764 to 1771. In accordance with his new status he chose a more comfortable house in the rue Saint-Honoré, in April 1772. It was a strategic choice, his new home being close to Dulac, Poirier and Granchez, which furthered his business. His son Pierre-François helped his father and in 1774, when he married the daughter of a fondeur, he also became a marchand-mercier.

Shortly before 1772 he delivered 1222 livres worth of furniture to the Dauphine Marie-Antoinette, and the marquis de Monconseil, father of princesse d'Henin, had ordered furniture valued at 4690 livres.

Many of the bronzes which enriched his furniture were cast and chased by Philippe Pajot who, in 1761, had his workshop in the same building as Macret. In December 1774 and May 1775 he sold his tools and stock to concentrate fully on the trade with objets de luxe. In 1781 he qualified as a bourgeois de Paris.

Macret had three children and in 1777 bought a large property in the rue Moreau, in the faubourg Saint Antoine. He built several houses which he rented out on this property and he further bought a farm in Tournon, Brie. He seems to have retired in 1787, and was still alive when his wife died in 1798.

His works are exhibited in many museums including the Nissim de Camondo, Paris; the Château de Versailles; the Cleveland Museum of Art; Hillwood House, Washington D.C.; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection.