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Lot Essay
One of the small constructional elements that points to Chippendale's possible authorship is the use of S-pattern keyholes. In his 1768 account to Lady Shelburne, Chippendale mentioned that a commode table had 'very good spring and tumbler locks and S-bitted keys' (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, vol. I, p. 253, and vol. II, p. 147, fig. 267). This lock pattern has very occasionally been recorded on furniture attributed to Chippendale's competitor John Cobb, for example on the commode sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 19 April 2001, lot 148. However, nearly all occurrences are on furniture attributed to Chippendale.
The use of concave quarter-fillets as a drawer strengthener is found on case furniture supplied by cabinet-makers at the top of the 18th century London furniture-making business, such as Cobb and Chippendale. Examples by or attributed to John Cobb include the pair of lacquer commodes from St Giles's House, Dorset (sold by the Earl of Shaftesbury, Christie's, London, 11 November 1999, lot 100) and a padouk commode sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 30 November 2000, lot 134. Examples by or attributed to Chippendale include a serpentine chest with 'S-pattern' key holes, sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 25 November 2004, lot 79.
The use of concave quarter-fillets as a drawer strengthener is found on case furniture supplied by cabinet-makers at the top of the 18th century London furniture-making business, such as Cobb and Chippendale. Examples by or attributed to John Cobb include the pair of lacquer commodes from St Giles's House, Dorset (sold by the Earl of Shaftesbury, Christie's, London, 11 November 1999, lot 100) and a padouk commode sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 30 November 2000, lot 134. Examples by or attributed to Chippendale include a serpentine chest with 'S-pattern' key holes, sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 25 November 2004, lot 79.