A George III gilt-bronze mounted rosewood, sycamore trellis marquetry bombé commode circa 1770

the parquetry inlaid with flower heads within a border of trailing foliage tied with ribbon and of serpentine outline above a baize-lined brushing slide and three drawers

By repute, the Earls of Ilchester.

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 8th November 1963, lot 130.

In very good restored condition. The top with repaired split and of slightly warped appearance. The cross banded edge with losses and replaced sections of veneer. The right side of the commode has been exposed to direct sunlight and is of a faded appearance. The brushing slide is 'sticky'. The upper drawer is 'sticky'. The shaped apron with some losses to the veneer and wear to the inside of each shaped foot. The gilt bronze handles on each drawer have been polished and there are residual traces of polish to the back plates and similarly the escutheons. This attractive commode has undergone extensive restoration and with the exception to the losses to the veneer described above is ready to place.
"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 current commode is near identical in form to one in the collections of the Duke of Northumberland illustrated in The Music Room at Alnwick Castle by Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd and Christopher Simon Sykes, Great Houses of England & Wales, 1994, p. 21. It also relates to a group of commodes illustrated and discussed by Lucy Wood, The Lady Lever Art Gallery: Catalogue of Commodes, 1994, no. 17, p. 166-170, figs155-7. Lucy Wood discusses a pencil inscription on the commode in the Lever Collection, a possible maker's signature that may read O M I Clarts. It is probable that the commode was made by a yet to be identified émigré craftsman working in England in the 1770s.

The pierced brass handles are apparent on three further known commodes, one sold Christie's London, 4th July 1991, lot 92, another sold in these Rooms, 5th July 1991, lot 122 and a near identical example, almost certainly from the same workshop as the present commode, also sold in these Rooms, 6th February 1998, lot 92. A further commode again with near identical trellis marquetry sold Phillips London, 25th November 1997, lot 72.