An Italian tulipwood, fruitwood, ebony, amaranth and marquetry neoclassical commode in the manner of Francesco Abbiati, late 18th/early 19th century

with a later mottled white marble top above a moulded edge with three drawers decorated sans traverse with marquetry within a recessed moulded panel inlaid with a simulated leaf-tip, ribbon and foliate borders surrounding a central horizontal octagon with a flaming classical vase issuing acanthus scrolls and rosettes, the sides with similar recessed moulded panels and rosette and acanthus inlay, the stiles on the front and sides inlaid with trailing oak leaves and acorns on tapering concave square feet with scroll spandrels inlaid with bellflowers

This handsome piece is in good conserved condition, displaying attractive colours and fine marquetry workmanship. It has minor shrinking crack to the left return with minor lifting of the veneers, the white marble top is later, and the key escutcheons are probably later. This piece is ready to be placed.
"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:
Alvar González-Palacios, Il Gusto dei Principi, Milan,1993, Vol, I, Francesco Abbiati, un Lombardo fra Roma e Madrid, pp. 354-355, Vol. II, plates 625, 647, 648 & 649.
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Neoclassico in Italia, Arredi e decorazioni d'interni dal 1785 al 1800, Milan, 2005, pp. 330-331.
Mario Tavella, 'Additions to the Oeuvre of Francesco Abbiati', Furniture History Society, Vol. XXXVIII, 2002,  pp. 97-107.

This elegant commode due to its restrained architectural form, combination of exotic woods, geometric inlay and tapering feet is very much in the style of the Lombard maker Francesco Abbiati (fl. c. 1780-1800), who was active in Rome and Madrid in the late 18th century.

Although unsigned, this commode bears several hallmarks of Abbiati including the ribbonned band which can be seen on the edge of a table by this maker illustrated by A.G.P., op. cit. p. 314, fig. 625 and the acanthus patera on each side of the offered commode can also be found on the top of the aforementioned table. In addition, the oak leaf motif is seen on commode attributed to Abbiati illustrated by A.G.P. op. cit., p. 328, plates 648-649, subsequently sold in these Rooms, lot 58, 10th June 1998,(£65,000).

Despite the paucity of information on this maker's life and work, it is known that this Lombard ebanista was active in the last twenty years of the 18th century. He came from Mondello near lake Como and delivered pieces to the Neapolitan and Spanish courts. It is interesting to note that he also consigned three pieces to the court in Madrid where he went in 1791 and that the latter pieces were made in Rome and not in Lombardy where he originated and his contemporaries worked.

According to contemporary chronicles (published in Rome in 1787 and 1788 and reported by A.G.P. op. cit., notes 1 and 3), Abbiati's work was praised for its quality, mechanical devices and inventiveness of the composition. His name was mentioned together with that of Maggiolini and contemporary designers such as Albertolli, Levati and Agostino Gerli. Although one cannot state with absolute certainty the names of the designers of furniture by Abbiati (who probably was only the maker of the furniture), Gerli can possibly be regarded as the designer who inspired Abbiati's production.