A gilt-bronze mounted Chinese black, gold and polychrome lacquer and vernis martin commode Louis XV, circa 1765

with a later moulded brèche d'Alep marble top above two long drawers

Christie’s London, 9 June 1994, lot 93 (£100,500);
Acquired by the present owner from Partridge Fine Art, London.

Partridge Fine Art, Recent Acquisitions, 1996, nr. 34, page 87 (catalogued as in the manner of Macret).

In overall good conserved condition. The marble top has been sensitively restored. Attractive casting to the nice quality gilt-bronze mounts which are a little dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There are some hairline cracks in the lacquer and some minor flacking in places especially towards the rear of the left side which would benefit from attention. The lacquer has been substantial and sensitively restored and the decoration is most attractive. There is notable restoration to the lacquer around the escutcheons. A handsome 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 elegant commode typifies the refined taste for exotic materials incorporated into fanciful pieces of furniture, as promoted by leading marchand-merciers of the day, such as Thomas-Joachim Hébert. Hébert spearheaded the taste for Oriental lacquer mounted furniture, having supplied a famous lacquer commode by Bernard Van Risenburgh to Queen Marie Leszczynska for the château de Fointainebleau in 1737.

Stylistically, the acanthus apron mount also features on a commode by Claude-Charles Saunier (illustrated in Pierre Klellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siécle, 1989, p.772) and the unusual Greek-key frieze corner mounts relate to the ones seen on a secrétaire abattant by Leonard Boudin (illustrated in Svend Eriksen, Early Neo-Classicism in France, 1974, fig.109). The corner mounts, of a Transitional character, allow us to date the present commode from about 1765.

A related commode veneered in coromandel lacquer, with Transitional corner mounts, and identical profile was sold at Sotheby’s Monaco, 16^th June 1990, lot 853. This was stamped by Jean-Baptiste Fromangeau (maître 1755) who produced commodes using Louis XV corner mounts with classical elements. Pierre Macret (maître 1756) was another ébèniste who produced work both in Louis XV and Transitional styles, with a taste for lacquer and bold mounts, as seen in the present lot.