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Lot Essay
The commode is designed in the George III 'French' taste, or serpentine outline and with the lower drawer forming the shaped apron. The latter characteristic, associated with 18th century French commodes, is unusual in 18th century English construction that generally saw the apron as part of the carcase. This feature does however occur in furniture made by John Cobb (d.1778), such as a commode he supplied to James West at Alscot Park in 1766 (L. Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, 1994, p.50, fig.35). A pair of lacquer commodes attributed to Cobb, supplied to Anthony Ashley, 4th Earl of Shaftesbury for St Giles's House, Dorset also features the lower drawer as part of the apron, the pair sold 'The Property of the Earl of Shaftesbury, Christie's London, 11 November 1999, lot 100.
The presence of concave quarter-filets securing the drawer bottoms also appears to be characteristic of, though probably not exclusive to, Cobb's workshop.
A number of related commodes, likewise associated with Cobb, are recorded, including an example at Blickling Hall, Norfolk (illustrated L. Wood, op.cit., p.50, fig.34); a commode possibly the property of George Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry (d.1809), Croome Court, Worcestershire, Christie's, London, 7 June 2007, lot 44; and another sold Christie's, London, 1 July 2004, lot 100.
JOHN COBB
John Cobb established his partnership with William Vile (d.1767) in circa 1751, and were among the elite of London cabinet-makers during the third quarter of the 18th century, including Thomas Chippendale, Mayhew & Ince, William and John Linnell, and Pierre Langlois. On the accession of George III, Vile & Cobb were granted a royal warrant to supply furniture to the Crown under the direction of the Master of the Great Wardrobe. Some of Vile & Cobb's most celebrated commissions are discussed by G. Beard, 'Vile & Cobb, Eighteenth Century London Furniture-makers', Antiques, June 1990, pp. 1394-1405.
The presence of concave quarter-filets securing the drawer bottoms also appears to be characteristic of, though probably not exclusive to, Cobb's workshop.
A number of related commodes, likewise associated with Cobb, are recorded, including an example at Blickling Hall, Norfolk (illustrated L. Wood, op.cit., p.50, fig.34); a commode possibly the property of George Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry (d.1809), Croome Court, Worcestershire, Christie's, London, 7 June 2007, lot 44; and another sold Christie's, London, 1 July 2004, lot 100.
JOHN COBB
John Cobb established his partnership with William Vile (d.1767) in circa 1751, and were among the elite of London cabinet-makers during the third quarter of the 18th century, including Thomas Chippendale, Mayhew & Ince, William and John Linnell, and Pierre Langlois. On the accession of George III, Vile & Cobb were granted a royal warrant to supply furniture to the Crown under the direction of the Master of the Great Wardrobe. Some of Vile & Cobb's most celebrated commissions are discussed by G. Beard, 'Vile & Cobb, Eighteenth Century London Furniture-makers', Antiques, June 1990, pp. 1394-1405.