A REGENCE ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID RED TORTOISESHELL AND POLYCHROME HORN BOULLE MARQUETRY COMMODE
A REGENCE ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID RED TORTOISESHELL AND POLYCHROME HORN BOULLE MARQUETRY COMMODE
A REGENCE ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID RED TORTOISESHELL AND POLYCHROME HORN BOULLE MARQUETRY COMMODE
A REGENCE ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID RED TORTOISESHELL AND POLYCHROME HORN BOULLE MARQUETRY COMMODE
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Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more WORKS OF ART FROM THE COLLECTION OF GREGORY DE LIGNE GREGORY (D. 1854) AT HARLAXTON MANOR (LOTS 7 - 11)
A REGENCE ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID RED TORTOISESHELL AND POLYCHROME HORN BOULLE MARQUETRY COMMODE

BY NICHOLAS SAGEOT, CIRCA 1710

Details
A REGENCE ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID RED TORTOISESHELL AND POLYCHROME HORN BOULLE MARQUETRY COMMODE
BY NICHOLAS SAGEOT, CIRCA 1710
The rectangular rounded top decorated with arabesques after Jean Bérain, centred by a pair of classically draped figures beneath a canopy and flanked by winged putti, the field further decorated with musicians, birds and masks, the reserves with scrolling foliage and flower head-filled trellis, above three bow-fronted drawers, the fronts similarly decorated with floral sprays and mounted with drop handles and espagnolette-cast escutcheons, the panelled sides decorated conformingly, the rounded angles with further strapwork above scroll-cast feet, originally conceived with two short frieze drawers, the top now hinged and lifting with the top drawer front converted to fold down providing a writing surface, all of its metal fittings apparently early 18th century, the bottom drawer stamped twice 'NS'
35¼ in. (90 cm.) high; 48 in. (122 cm.) wide; 26½ in. (67 cm.) deep
Provenance
Almost certainly acquired by Gregory de Ligne Gregory (d. 1854) for Harlaxton Manor, Lincolnshire, and by descent to Sir Glynne Earle Welby-Gregory of Denton (1806-1875).
By descent in the family.
Special notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Elizabeth Wight
Elizabeth Wight

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Lot Essay

Nicolas Sageot (1666-1731), maître in 1706.

First recorded in Paris in 1698, Sageot was based in the faubourg Saint-Antoine and evidently rapidly expanded his business, as by 1711 he had 12,000 livres, almost all in stock-in-trade. The extensive nature of his business is revealed by the sale in 1720 to Léonard Prieur 'Marchand Mercier Grossier Joaillier Priviligié suivant la Cour' of 16,000 livres worth of furniture, consisting of a wide range of armoires, bureaux and commodes.

The top of this spectacular commode, decorated in première partie Boulle marquetry in brass, sumptuous red tortoiseshell and polychrome stained horn, is typical of the ingenious inventiveness with which Sageot created ever new designs using the 'antique' and 'arabesque' engravings of Jean Bérain (d. 1711) as his main source. The overall form of the commode and in particular its marquetry relates it closely to another commode stamped by Sageot, though with four rather than three drawers, previously in the collections of the Dukes of Newcastle and sold at Christie's, London, 16 December 1999, lot 50 (£287,500). Another closely related commode is that from the collection of Barbara Piasecka Johnson, previously in the collection of the duchesse de Talleyrand, sold Sotheby's, New York, 21 May 1992, lot 69 ($385,000).

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