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Lot Essay
The angle mounts on the present commode - cast with elaborate tasseled trophies emblematic of the Applied Sciences, incorporating ribbon-hung caduceus, terrestrial globe, compass and book - are of particular note. These seemingly idiosyncratic mounts can be found on related commodes by André-Louis Gilbert (maître in 1774), among which a commode in the Frick Collection, New York (ill. in T. Dell, The Frick Collection, vol V, Furniture Italian & French, Princeton, 1992, p. 373, whilst a variation on the same theme - with ribbon-hung musical attributes and tasseled boss - can be found on a commode by Gilbert from the Edward James Collection, West Dean Park, Chichester, West Sussex, sold, Christie's house sale, 2, 3 and 6 June 1986, lot 135.
Interestingly, the same distinctive angle mounts also feature on commodes of similar form and ornamentation by or confidently attributed to Charles Topino (maître in 1773), and often retailed by the marchand-ébéniste Léonard Boudin. For a commode attributed to Topino, retailed by Boudin and featuring such mounts, please see lot 14 in this sale.
Interestingly, the same distinctive angle mounts also feature on commodes of similar form and ornamentation by or confidently attributed to Charles Topino (maître in 1773), and often retailed by the marchand-ébéniste Léonard Boudin. For a commode attributed to Topino, retailed by Boudin and featuring such mounts, please see lot 14 in this sale.