A pair of Italian lacquered and parcel-gilt carved commodes, Roman, circa 1760

each with a serpentine faux marble painted top above two drawers with serpentine sides on cabriole legs joined by a shaped stretcher with a hinged rising shaped section forming the kneeler (cushion now lacking) boldly carved with rocaille and a stylised scallopshell, the whole carved with scrolls, rocaille and foliage and painted to simulate mottled blue marble, one with the printed label Il Settecento Italiano, Venezia - 1929 A. VII, 000175

Possibly one of the pair is illustrated by G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del’700, Milan, 1958, Tav. CDLXIV a,  and Tav. CCXII, reproduced here in fig. 1.

In overall good conserved condition. Old marks, chips and scratches as visible from the catalogue photoraphs. There has been some retouching to the decoration. There are some scattered age cracks especially to the tops. There are some old minor restorations e.g to the front bowed edge of one. The internal lockplates are missing. There are hairline construction cracks at the joints which can be left. The cushions on both are now lacking. There are some minor losses to the carving eg to the base of the scroll on the kneeler of one . Evidence of old minor worm which appears to be no longer active. One of the commodes has a break in the rear left foot when facing which needs some attention and the rear right foot has a recently restored break. This one also has a later piece of wood attached to the inside of the kneeler which shows evidence of previous upholstery.
"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, Fasto Romano, Rome, 1991, cat. 112-114, Tav LX, p. 173-174.
Enrico Colle, Il Mobile Rococò in Italia, Arredi e Decorazioni d'Interni dal 1738 al 1775, Milan, 2003, p.136.
G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del’700, Milan, 1958, Tav. CDLXIV a, and CCXII.

This type of small commode with a retractable kneeler (to serve as a prieu dieu) is specific to Rome and dates between the rococo and neo-classical period and it is extremely rare to find a surviving pair as the offered example. The decorative elements are however, purely rococo, especially the asymmetrical carving on the frieze and stretcher. This type of commode sometimes called a`comodino con alzata or comodino con inginocchiatoio e alzata' consists of a small commode with drawers destined for a bedroom and often the kneeler was covered in the same textile as that used to decorate the room. This type of commode was made in various materials-from lacquer to inlay. More sophisticated examples had a rising section revealing a devotional niche which was often carved out of different wood to the rest of the piece (see A.G.P. op. cit., p. 174, fig. 114, for a related commode in lacquer though lacking its retractable kneeler). 

There is a further related commode in the collection of the Principi Colonna, Rome, illustrated by A.G.P., op. cit., p. 173, fig. 113, which is asymmetrically carved, unlike the previous example, with a marble top above two doors together with a devotional niche, with a stylised scallopshell carved on the kneeler, as on the offered example. 

See a related example with a marble top above four short drawers, a devotional niche and variation in the carving illustrated by A.G.P. op. cit., Tav LX (no. 112), in a private collection, which is the pair to the one sold Sotheby's, Rome, 18th May 2004, lot 510 (40,000E).

A single commode was sold in these Rooms, A Tale of Two Cities, Venice and Dresden, 9th June 2015, lot 106.