Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis Beurdeley, 1847-1919 A Louis XVI style gilt bronze-mounted ebony, ebonized and burr Ambonya commode Paris, second half 19th century, after the model by Joseph Stockel and Guillaume Benneman

fitted with three frieze drawers, each cupboard opening to one shelf, several mounts have been removed to reveal the mark BY from the bronze master models.

D. Alcouffe, Furniture Collection in the Louvre, Vol 1, p. 296-7 for illustrations of the 18th century model by Stockel and Benneman; C. Payne, François Linke, p. 200, for a F. Linke black and white photograph
of the original commode at the Louvre;
P. Verlet, Le Mobilier Royal Français, Vol. I, p. 244 and P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, 2002, p. 54-65 for illustrations of the original commode

Overall in fair condition. Marble most probably not original. As this was created by a Beurdeley firm the bronze mounts are of the highest caliber. However, this commode will need extensive professional restoration. The central door has a large vertical crack. This runs through the thickness of the wood and is therefore visible on both sides. Extensive lifting to brass banding framing the ebony veneers. The commode is lacking the bronze mounts on the back supports, which are designed as war trophies--and identical to the ones present on the front of the commode. Several brass mounts have been replaced with filler and gold paint. The proper right hand side convex cabinet door has loss as well as later replacement of the bronze molding framing the door. Several parts, such as bronze and wooden molding, brass banding, and clasps are detached but present. The parts have not been counted, and we cannot confirm if they are complete. 5 circular clasps joining the vertical drops to the swags in the garland are lacking.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The original model is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris (inv. OA 5507) to where it had been transferred in 1870 from the Mobilier national. Originally made in 1786 by Joseph Stockel for the Comte de Provence, it and its companion pieces were altered by Guillaume Benneman intended for Louis XVI's bedchamber at Compiegne. Much admired by Napoleon Bonaparte, it was in his salon in 1807 and later in his bedchamber.

Alfred Beurdeley (1808-1882) specialized in reproducing the most magnificent articles from the Garde Meuble National. The firm exhibited and won awards at all of the major international exhibitions during the second half of the 19th century. The quality and skill employed in production was of exceptional quality. The firm produced hand-chased and mercury gilded ormolu mounts, which were often difficult to distinguish from late 18th century examples, and were considered the finest in Paris. The firm was pioneered by Jean Beurdeley (1772-1853), later managed by his son Louis-Auguste-Alfred, and who finally imparted it to his son Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis in 1875. The firm was established at 32 Rue Louis-Le-Grand, and also owned pavillion de Hanovre, where the firm was based while Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis added two additional workshops at 20 and 24 Rue Dautancourt. The company's workshops closed in 1895 and Beurdeley's stock was sold at a number of auctions conducted by the Galerie Georges Petit of Paris. Two auction catalogues of the collection were published in 1895 and sales were held between March 6-8 and May 27-28, of that year.

The companion commode to the present lot was sold in these rooms April 15, 2011, lot 356