A Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted fruitwood and amaranth marquetry and parquetry commode after the model by Riesener late 19th century

the shaped breakfronted white marble top above a frieze with three drawers, with two cupboard doors below opening to reveal one shelf

Purchased by Henry Isaac Butterfield (1819 – 1910) for Cliffe Castle, Yorkshire;
By descent to his grand-daughter Marie-Louise Roosevelt Pierrepont (née Butterfield), Countess Manvers (1889 – 1984), whereupon moved to Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire in 1943;
Thence by descent.

This exquisite piece is in good original condition, with marks and scratches consistent with age and use. The marble top with overall scratches as expected; the gilt-bronze mounts are lightly tarnished throughout and would greatly benefit from cleaning. There are some sparse losses to the marquetry and veneer, including but not limited to two marquetry flower heads, as visible in the catalogue photograph. Some movement to the door which has been re-secured. There is one secure vertical shrinking crack to the left return, and some movement to the front-left foot.
"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."

The present commode à ressaut trapézoïdal is after the celebrated model by Jean-Henri Riesener (1734-1806, maître 1768) delivered around 1776 for Louis XVI’s Cabinet de Retraite at Fontainebleau. Riesener made a number of similar pieces for other members of the French Royal Family, including one for the Comtesse de Provence (1753-1810) formerly at Versailles and now at Waddesdon Manor (inv. no. W2/37/5).

The canted forecorners, the fret marquetry enclosing water-lilies and the trapeze-shaped central panel are all characteristic of Riesener’s production of the late 1770s, and are almost exclusively found on pieces delivered to the Crown.

As with models by the likes of Benneman and Weisweiler that were or had been part of the French Royal collections, this model was a source of inspiration for the best cabinet-makers of the second half of the 19^th century, such as Linke, Dasson, or Sormani, who would sometimes produce exact replicas of these pieces.