Lot 64
  • 64

A Régence style gilt-bronze mounted tulipwood commode in the manner of Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt, probably English, mid-19th century

Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Marble, gilt-bronze, oak, tulipwood
  • 82cm. high, 124cm. wide, 67cm. deep; 2ft. 8½in., 4ft. 1in., 2ft. 2¼in.
the serpentine front and sides and veined pink-grey marble top, fitted with three drawers, veneered with double panels à quatre faces, in matted gilt-bronze frame with scallopshell spandrels and fluted handles depending from scrolls, the central cartouche-shaped lockplates cast with similar motifs, the sides mounted with plaques of maidens emblematic of Astronomy seated on strapwork scrolls, the rear uprights headed by palmettes, the chamfered projecting angles mounted with ormolu uprights headed by ram’s heads and ending in curling leaves developing to scrolled bifurcated feet

Provenance

An Aristocratic Private Collection; until sold Christie’s London, 14 May 1970, lot 129 (as 18th century)

Literature

Related Literature: F. B. J. Watson, Catalogue, London, 1956, nos. F411-412;

A. Pradère, French Furniture Makers, London, 1989, fig. 32; 

Condition

In overall very good condition, with very minor marks and scratches consistent with age and use, very minor lifting and losses to veneers. Mounts in good original condition. Minor repairs to inside of drawers, to facilitate use.
"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

This exquisite commode well exemplifies the taste for 18th century French decorative arts in mid-19th century Europe and England, at a time when collectors such as the Rothschilds and the Hertfords were not only buying important pieces by the best Parisian ébénistes, but also commissioning copies and replicas of talented cabinet-makers. Thus, the fine corner mounts with ram’s heads and bifurcated feet on the present piece are after a well-known and rare design by Gilles-Marie Oppenordt (1672-1742), Alexandre's son, as found on the frontispiece of book ten of his Oeuvres, engraved by Huguier. Furthermore, they appear on a chimneypiece executed for the Palais of the Duc d’Orléans, and on a design for a lectern at the Abbaye-Sainte-Geneviève, Paris. However, other mounts such as the apron and side mounts are from the repertoire of André-Charles Boulle.

A number of early 18th century commodes with identical mounts attributed to Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt (1639-1715), in première and contre-partie partie, are known, including one from the collection of Sybil, Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, sold Christie’s London, 8-9 December 1994, lot 545. Furthermore, the same ram’s masks and handles are found on another ‘Boulle’ marquetry commode sold Sotheby’s Paris, 23 March 2006, lot 63 (415,200 EUR). Finally, for an identical tulipwood commode, see Koller, Zurich, 19 September 2013, lot 1079.