A fruitwood and ebony inlaid kingwood, tulipwood and marquetry commode, in the manner of Latz, Louis XV, mid 18th century

of bombé serpentine form with a moulded brèche d’Alep marble top above two drawers centred by a basket of flowers with birds within scroll and rocaille cartouches surmounted by bird's heads, with similarly inlaid sides on cabriole legs, terminating in gilt-bronze scroll feet, with gilt-bronze and foliate cast mounts throughout, bearing the false stamps JME, branded R in a cartouche below a closed Crown L14 and StI below a closed crown; remounted 

In overall good conserved condition. Some very minor chips to the marble top along the rear edge which are hardly noticeable. Attractive detail to marquetry. Some very minor rubbing and tarnishing to the mounts especially the feet. The marquetry has minor restorations which have been well executed. Evidence of previous mounts.
"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:
Henry Hawley, Jean Pierre Latz, Cabinetmaker, The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art, September to October 1970.

The present commode whilst not stamped by Latz bears several features which are typical of Latz's oeuvre including: the sculptural form both serpentine and bombé, design of the floral marquetry enclosed in a well-defined cartouche-shaped central field separated from the rest of the decoration, clever combination of the wood veneers and the ebony branches.

Further examples of commodes stamped by Latz with related decoration include a commode from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, Villa Favorita, Lugano, sold Sotheby's London, 14th June 1996, lot 41 (£210,500) and another, sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 13th December 1996, lot 107 (£45,500).  

Jean-Pierre Latz (active 1719-1754), Ebéniste Privilégié du Roi before 1741.
Jean-Pierre Latz (c. 1691-d.1754) is regarded as one of the most talented ébénistes under the reign of Louis XV, despite the relatively limited group of recorded furniture by him. Of German origin, he emigrated to Paris in 1719. He was naturalised French in 1736. In the 1740's he counted in his atelier up to nine skilled cabinet-makers and three ciseleurs. It is clear from the inventories that the production of clocks represented approximately three-quarters of his output. Although Latz is described in the inventory made after his death as `Maître Ebéniste privilégié du Roy suivant la cour' (a title which allowed him to stamp his pieces without getting the official maîtrise) there is no evidence that any of his pieces entered the collection of Louis XV. On the contrary many pieces by Latz entered collections outside France often through the agency of the Parisian marchand-merciers. Among his patrons were several European sovereigns including Frederick II, King of Prussia, Augustus III, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony; Count von Brühl in Dresden was also a great admirer of this cabinet-maker of German origin.