Lot Essay
This remarkable commode forms part of a small group of related outline, which share the same unusual construction, ormolu mounts and painted or japanned decoration. The origin of this group is unknown but certain characteristics would indicate that the maker was familiar with cabinetmaking traditions on the continent. The figural decoration on a gilt ground which is not known to English examples but is typical of Italian case furniture of the period, the skeleton framed construction of the carcase and the marbelized wooden tops in imitation of French and continental examples (this commode formerly had a wooden top, almost certainly marbleized), and other idiosyncratic constructional features link the group to a specific workshop. Lucy Wood discusses this group in full in her Catalogue of Commodes, 1994, no.6, pp.79-87, however the history of the other examples do not shed much light on the maker or origin of the group.
The earliest record of a commode in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight shows that it was sold to Sir John Hussey Delaval, 1st Lord Delaval for Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland in 1776. The commode was supplied by a Mr. John Carrack through the intervention of cabinetmaker John Cobb of St. Martin's Lane. While Carrack was not a cabinetmaker himself, existing correspondence shows he was involved in other furniture transactions with Cobb. Another commode with a pair of matching corner cupboards at Buckingham Palace was only first recorded in the Royal Collection in 1804 and remains in the Queen's State Bedchamber. This suite differs in its overall trellis decoration on a painted ground and backed on canvas. A third commode of identical profile to the offered example was sold in these Rooms, 13 June 1987, lot 176 and was at that time thought to be Continental.
The decoration on the front with landscapes beside ancient towers and cottages corresponds to the engravings of Jacques Philippe Le Bas (d.1783) after Boucher's views of Beauvais executed in the early 1740's, while the gallant youth proferring flowers and the singer relate to the inhabitants of Boucher's pastoral Charmes de la Vie Champetre (at the Louvre) engraved both by Jean Dalle and by F.A.Aveline and published by Huquier in December 1742 (see also a Musique Pastorale and Les Amusements de la Campagne as well as related scenes on contemporary porcelain). The sides depict courting couples also in the manner of Watteau and Boucher. A screen depicting similar scenes including Commedia dell Arte figures was sold from Mere Hall, Cheshire, Christie's house sale, 23 May 1994, lot 170.
The earliest record of a commode in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight shows that it was sold to Sir John Hussey Delaval, 1st Lord Delaval for Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland in 1776. The commode was supplied by a Mr. John Carrack through the intervention of cabinetmaker John Cobb of St. Martin's Lane. While Carrack was not a cabinetmaker himself, existing correspondence shows he was involved in other furniture transactions with Cobb. Another commode with a pair of matching corner cupboards at Buckingham Palace was only first recorded in the Royal Collection in 1804 and remains in the Queen's State Bedchamber. This suite differs in its overall trellis decoration on a painted ground and backed on canvas. A third commode of identical profile to the offered example was sold in these Rooms, 13 June 1987, lot 176 and was at that time thought to be Continental.
The decoration on the front with landscapes beside ancient towers and cottages corresponds to the engravings of Jacques Philippe Le Bas (d.1783) after Boucher's views of Beauvais executed in the early 1740's, while the gallant youth proferring flowers and the singer relate to the inhabitants of Boucher's pastoral Charmes de la Vie Champetre (at the Louvre) engraved both by Jean Dalle and by F.A.Aveline and published by Huquier in December 1742 (see also a Musique Pastorale and Les Amusements de la Campagne as well as related scenes on contemporary porcelain). The sides depict courting couples also in the manner of Watteau and Boucher. A screen depicting similar scenes including Commedia dell Arte figures was sold from Mere Hall, Cheshire, Christie's house sale, 23 May 1994, lot 170.