A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted mahogany commodes, one forming a secrétaire, attributed to Pierre-Benoît Marcion (1769-1840), circa 1810

the stepped moulded veined white marble tops above a frieze drawer mounted with acanthus, flowers and rosette scrolls flanked by cornucopiae masks, above four drawers with scrolled escutcheon and ring drawer pulls flanked by moulded raised pilasters on three sides with anthemion and acanthus scroll mounts raised on a plain rectangular plinth, the upper drawer of one with a fall-front opening to reveal a leather writing surface and internal arrangement of five small drawers

Sotheby's Paris, Mobilier, Sculptures et Objets d'Art, 16th April 2013, lot 257.

These very fine commodes are in very good conserved condition, retaining their original marble tops. These have minor marks and scratches. The sides of both have conserved shrinking cracks, which are now hardly noticeable. The corner edges of the plinth bases have minor losses to the veneers from scuffing, but can easily be minimized. The commodes have wonderful flamed mahogany veneers and the bronze mounts are of exceptional quality.
"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:
Jean-Pierre Planchon, Marcion, ébéniste de Napoléon, Saint-Rémy-en-L’Eau 2007, pp. 25, 86-87, 177.

This rare pair of commodes, although unsigned, is almost certainly the production of a pre-eminent Parisian cabinet-making workshop of the early 19^th century, as evidenced by their outstanding quality mahogany veneers, sophisticated gilt-bronze mounts and elegantly understated architectonic proportions.

Stylistically they correspond to some of the finest work of Pierre-Benoît Marcion (1769-1840), one of the leading ébénistes of the Empire period and in terms of both quality and quantity the most important supplier to the Napoleonic Court after Jacob-Desmalter. 

The highly distinctive moulded corner pilasters on two sides of deliberately simple form to allow maximal space for the display of the exquisitely refined mounts, are infrequently encountered on case furniture of the period, but appear on two commodes by Marcion sent to the Chambre à coucher de l’Impératrice at the Petit Trianon and a single commode in the Chambre à coucher du Roi de Rome at Compiègne illustrated by Planchon, op. cit., pp. 25, 86-87, 177.  The incorporation of a secrétaire drawer into one of the commodes is also unusual, although it does appear on a mahogany commode stamped Marcion sold Koller Zürich, 8th December 2011, lot 1334 and one sold Koller Zurich, 18th September 2014, lot 1183.

Pierre-Benoît Marcion was born in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine and is first mentioned professionally in 1798 as a Marchand Ébéniste operating from the boutique Aux Égyptiens in the Rue Neuve des Petits Champs. In 1801, he received his first official commission for a set of eighty-two 'curule' chairs in mahogany and marquetry for the Consular Senate, of which forty-nine still survive in the Palais du Luxembourg, illustrated Planchon, op. cit., p. 18.  In 1805, he began working for the Garde-Meuble Impérial and over the following seven years proceeded to supply a significant quantity of case and seat furniture to the newly-refurnished palaces of Saint-Cloud, Fontainebleau, Compiègne, and the Grand Trianon, often commanding higher prices than his rival Jacob-Desmalter. He also received commissions from prominent generals and members of Napoleon's court, including Eugène de Beauharnais and Murat.