- 221
A Louis XIV gilt-bronze mounted brass, tortoiseshell and ebony inlaid Boulle marquetry commode circa 1700
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description
- gilt-bronze, brass, tortoiseshell, walnut
- 76cm. high, 109cm. wide, 61cm. deep; 2ft. 6in., 3ft. 7in., 2ft.
in contre-partie with première-partie elements, the rectangular top above four graduated long drawers
Literature
Related literature:
P. Grand, Le Mobilier Boulle et les ateliers de l'époque, L'Estampille-L'Objet d'Art, February 1993, pp.48-70;
P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection, Catalogue of Furniture, vol. II, London, 1996, p.639, fig. 137 (F39) and p. 649.
Condition
This rare commode is in reasonable condition. It has been re-polished, but its brass and tortoiseshell marquetry retains some of the original engraving. Losses and lifting to the marquetry; some of the tortoiseshell and brass losses have been re-filled. One horizontal shrinkage crack to the top.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The overall shape and drawers marquetry design relate to the commode in the Wallace Collection (F39) which Peter Hughes tentatively ascribes to Nicolas Sageot (1666-1731). Although in recent times a number of Boulle marquetry commodes sharing a similar Berainesque design have been attributed to Sageot, this ébéniste seems to have often acted as a marchand, and it is possible that some of the characteristic marquetry panels may have been executed by the marqueteur Toussaint Devoye (cf. Grand, op. cit., p. 64).
A similar commode, albeit with a different top, was offered Christie's Monaco, 21 June 1998, lot 587, whilst two further examples are in the Chateau de Fontainebleau.
A commode from the collection of Nicolas Nicolas Landau and Jacqueline Goldman, sold Sotheby's Paris, 8-9 April 2013, lot 312 (53,100 EUR), appears to be the première-partie of the present lot. The survival of a traceable, original pair is a rare occurrence.