A pair of Spanish parcel-gilt, painted and mahogany commodes, Mallorcan, possibly by Adriá Ferran i Vallès mid 19th century

each with a rectangular top above a frieze drawer enclosing a mirror and three lidded compartments, and three further long drawers with a raised demi-lune panel flanked by carved acanthus leaves with swans with a floral spray in their beaks on winged female sphinx feet and a concave-fronted platform base

In overall good conserved condition. They can be placed immediately. One of the drawers on one of the commodes is very stiff and will need easing there are horizontal cracks in both tops one of which has been filled in the past but is opening up again. Some of the painted decoration on the swans is rubbed. Some of the paws on the sphinxes have been restored. On the second drawer down on one of the commodes there is a very small circular patch. There is a very minor loss to the veneer to the right side of the other commode and some minor patches to the base of the same side. There are also some very minor patches to the base of the right side of the other commode. There are some scattered hairline age cracks which are hardly noticeable. The platform bases have some slight warping and minor chips to the veneer. The pulls on the internal compartments are missing and now secured with string and would be easily replaced.
"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."

LITERATURE

Maria Jose Massot Ramis d'Ayreflor, El Moble a les Illes Balears Segles XIII-XIX, Barcelona, 1995, p.190, 191 (ill.)

This pair of commodes is of a typical Mallorcan model traditionally associated with the the sculptor and cabinet-maker Adrià Ferran i Vallès, who developed an interesting insular variation of the Empire style. With its distinctive flamed veneers, S-shaped sides, gilt carved corners and unusual feet on a platform base, these commodes are fine examples of this Mallorcan production. The carved sphinx feet are very close to a drawing by the sculptor Sacanell, in the manner of Ferran, now in the Museu de Mallorca.

Born in Catalonia, Ferran moved to Palma in 1806 where worked as sculptor and cabinet-maker with an workshop that had at some point 22 workers, disseminating his knowledge through local makers. No signed pieces of furniture by him are known, although the quality of the present lot firmly links it to the master or one of his best pupils.

Other Mallorcan mahogany commodes with carved feet on a platform base are known (with winged lions, eagles or sphynxes as feet) – see a pair sold Sotheby’s, Peter Zervudachi Collection, London, 10th June 1998, lot 296 (sold for £45,000) and single commode of the same model as the present lot but with griffin-headed feet was sold with Sotheby’s, Amsterdam, 30th September 2008, lot 667.