A gilt-bronze-mounted kingwood, amaranth, tulipwood, bois satiné and bois de bout marquetry commode attributed to Pierre IV Migeon (1696-1758) Louis XV, mid 18th century

of bombé serpentine form, with a brèche d'Alep marble top above two long drawers on cabriole legs terminating in scrolled feet, the whole inlaid with foliate sprays in bois de bout marquetry, with gilt-bronze mounts throughout cast with foliage, rocaille and scrolls, with the inventory number 656 inscribed in red

By Repute the Rothschild Collection
J. Kugel, Paris
Private Collection, Dallas,Texas

In overall very good conserved condition. Impressive size and beautifully executed and ready to be placed. The colour of the veneer is less orange and the gilding is more golden and more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph.The marble top has old very minor marks, chips and scratches and a restored crack running though the top which has been well executed but there are a few minor losses to the marble around the crack which can easily be filled. Good quality casting and chasing of the mounts.There is a later metal plate 8cmx 2cm approx. along the inside of the carcass behind the front top drawer which meets the lockplate. Some very minor restorations to the veneer. Some very minor rubbing to the gilt-bronze mounts and casting cracks in the mounts e.g. the base of the frame on the right side, crack through one handle, the rear right sabot, the base of the frame left side, with some residual very minor surface dirt. Some later runners have been added inside and to the side of the drawers. There are very minor sections of gilt-bronze missing from the gilt-bronze mounts on the feet.
"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:
Anne Forray-Carlier, Le Mobilier du Musée Carnavalet, Dijon, 2000, pp. 46-47, no. 11(inv. MB 358).
Sophie Mouquin, Pierre IV Migeon, Meubles en laque et en vernis, L’estampille/L’Objet d’Art,  no. 342, December 1999, pp. 60-75.
Sophie Mouquin, Pierre IV Migeon, Paris, 2001,  pp. 72-74. 

This impressive commode of swelling bombé form with superlative quality gilt-bronze mounts and sinuous bois de bout foliate marquetry can be attributed to Pierre IV Migeon on the basis of research that has come to light about this maker who was formerly called Pierre II Migeon. He produced furniture of outstanding quality which was destined for a wide range of prestigious clientèle and according to Mouquin op. cit., Pierre IV Migeon occupies a place on the top tier for Parisian cabinet- making in the first half of the 18^thcentury. He was also a marchand as well as a cabinet-maker and was extremely influential on the taste of his clients.

Migeon IV focused on bois de bout marquetry during the last third of his career and he particularly appreciated the contrast of colour when different woods were juxtaposed. This commode is in the finest style of that period with two drawers and reserves elegantly highlighted and framed by rocaille mounts. One of the unusual characteristics of the offered commode, is that the bout de bout marquetry is not divided into three sections on the front of the commode, as was commonly the case on Migeon's commodes, but extends freely over the whole surface. Migeon collaborated with some of the most outstanding ébénistes of the period including Roger Vandercruse (RVLC) and Leonard Boudin which enabled him to achieve superlative quality marquetry on his pieces.

Mouquin op. cit., illustrates several commodes by Pierre IV Migeon dating to around the years 1740-55, pp. 69-72. A related commode of similar impressive scale in bois de bout marquetry similar that that on this commode with more elaborate mounts stamped Migeon is illustrated by Mouquin, op. cit., fig. 13. Furthermore, there is a commode stamped Migeon with two drawers and bois de bout floral marquetry with related knee and handle mounts to those on this commode, in the Musée Louis Vouland, Avignon, (although the knee mounts are also found on pieces by Delorme). The bois de bout marquetry is distinctive with its foliate trails and there is a pair of encoignures in Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire and another in the Residenzmuseum in Munich together with the pair stamped Migeon (lot 107), which have very similar bois de bout marquetry. Although few pieces are recorded from the early years of Pierre IV Migeon's production, Forray-Carlier, op. cit., illustrates p. 46, a commode stamped by Pierre IV Migeon, circa 1730, in amaranth and bois satiné with gilt-bronze mounts. The author states that the beauty of the bronzes would seem to indicate that without a doubt the commode must have been intended for an important client. Migeon often employed the same model of gilt-bronze mounts which are also found on furniture by other ébénistes such as Petit, Carel, Delorme, Rübestuck and Foullet. Migeon’s gilt-bronze mounts were possibly produced by the fondeur Jacques Guinand who worked with Migeon.

For further information see the footnote to lot 107.

Pierre IV Migeon (1696-1758):
Pierre IV Migeon was born on 13^th August 1696 into the celebrated dynasty of ébénistes and was one of the most important artisans in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the 18^th century. He was working for the Garde Meuble de la Couronne and for the Princes du Sang, the French aristocracy including but not exclusively the Duke de Boufflers and de Brancas and Louis-Adelaïde d’Orléans, and the dukes de Noailles and de Rohan. He also supplied ambassadors and foreign princes as well as high profile political and financial figures in France.