Lot Essay
This commode is directly inspired by that delivered for the chambre à coucher of the petit appartement du Marie-Antoinette at Versailles by Jean-Henri Riesener on 15 May 1784. Subsequently in the collection of Baronne James de Rothschild, this was sold anonymously at Sotheby's Monaco, 22 June 1991, lot 536. In 1788 Guillaumme Beneman supplied a commode to match the latter for the salon des Nobles de la Reine at Saint-Cloud, and this is now in the Musée du Versailles (v4719). Further commodes of this model, stamped by Saunier include one sold anonymously in Paris, Ader, Picard, Tajan, 2 February 1987, lot 125 and another sold anonymously at Sotheby's Monaco, 3 December 1994, lot 363.
However, the distinctive foliate frieze can also be found on several commodes either stamped or attributed to Riesener, such as that sold in Paris, 11 June 1965, lot 93, and another sold anonymously in these Rooms, 17 June 1987, lot 71. It also features on the commode à deux encoignures supplied by Riesener for the cabinet du Louis XVI at Versailles (now in the collection of H. M. the Queen).
However, the distinctive foliate frieze can also be found on several commodes either stamped or attributed to Riesener, such as that sold in Paris, 11 June 1965, lot 93, and another sold anonymously in these Rooms, 17 June 1987, lot 71. It also features on the commode à deux encoignures supplied by Riesener for the cabinet du Louis XVI at Versailles (now in the collection of H. M. the Queen).