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Lot Essay
The elegant architectural form, restrained use of well-chosen veneers and the ormolu foliate swag handles, all reflect the influence of the neo-classical oeuvre of David Roentgen in the 1780s. In particular the outlining of the drawers with ormolu bands interrupted by roundels is a favoured device (see for example J.M. Greber, Abraham and David Roentgen, Möbel Für Europa, 1980, vol. II, figs. 573 and 575). Further parallels can be drawn with the work of Johann-Gottlieb Fiedler, the Berlin cabinet-maker active in the 1770's, who was patronised by Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia (1744-1797), later King Wilhelm Friedrich II.
A distinctive similarity between the present commode and those made by Fiedler around 1780-1785, is the use of the characteristic mille-raies borders. On Fiedler's commodes these are executed in ormolu and appear, for instance, as bands on the drawers and on the angle pilasters. Another similarity are the characteristic short fluted legs, headed by rosettes, which appear on most of Fiedler's commodes. However, the mounts are not exactly corresponding with the ones Fiedler used. The exact mounts can be found on anonymous Berlin furniture pieces, for example the ormolu caryatides are illustrated in A. Stiegel, Berliner Möbelkunst, München 2003, p. 359, illus. 3 and the rozettes can be found on p. 359, illus. 7.
A distinctive similarity between the present commode and those made by Fiedler around 1780-1785, is the use of the characteristic mille-raies borders. On Fiedler's commodes these are executed in ormolu and appear, for instance, as bands on the drawers and on the angle pilasters. Another similarity are the characteristic short fluted legs, headed by rosettes, which appear on most of Fiedler's commodes. However, the mounts are not exactly corresponding with the ones Fiedler used. The exact mounts can be found on anonymous Berlin furniture pieces, for example the ormolu caryatides are illustrated in A. Stiegel, Berliner Möbelkunst, München 2003, p. 359, illus. 3 and the rozettes can be found on p. 359, illus. 7.