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Lot Essay
This commode is after the renowned 18th century model in the Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam, which is veneered with red tortoiseshell and surmounted by a lapis lazuli top. The bronze mounts were designed and cast by the Swiss sculptor, Johann Melchior Kambli (d. 1783). The commode was commissioned by Frederick II of Prussia (d. 1786) circa 1760, and located from 1773 in the 'chambre qui suit la Gallerie de Marbre’. Kambli’s opulent and intricate bronze mounts were greatly admired by Frederick as they exemplified the fashionable French rococo style he favoured. The carcass of the original commode is attributed to Johann Friedrich (d. 1812) and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler (d. 1788) who had moved to Potsdam in 1764, and as Hofebenisten were assigned part of the refurbishment of the Neues Palais.
The present 19th century commode is attributed to Joseph-Émmanuel Zwiener. A virtually identical commode, circa 1895-1900, was produced by German-born but Paris-based, Zwiener and sold Sotheby’s, New York, 14 April 2008, lot 207 ($289,000). One of the premier haut luxe cabinetmakers of the late 19th century, Zwiener had made a copy of a bureau du Roi in 1884 for Ludwig II of Bavaria and was awarded a médaille d'or at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle for a magnificent jewellery-cabinet sold Christie's, London, 17 March 2011, lot 409 (£623,650). Following this success, Kaiser Wilhelm II called Zwiener back to his native Germany to undertake a substantial commission for the Berliner Schloss, including an important bedroom suite sold Sotheby's, New York, 29 June 1989, lots 270-275, now on display at Schloss Charlottenberg.
At the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, Zwiener exhibited in the German Pavilion a group of furniture produced for the Kaiser, including the bedroom suite. Interestingly, the German section featured a selection of 18th century works of art from the collection of Frederick II; this included furniture from Sanssouci (International Exposition Paris 1900, Official Catalogue Exhibition of the German Empire, pp. 62-66). Although the furniture is not identified in the exhibition catalogue, the following mention is made: 'The adaptation of tortoise shell, rare woods, and gilded bronze to purposes of furniture was practiced by a large number of skilled artists, amongst these in foremost rank was Melchior Kambly [sic], a Swiss, whose industry must at least have equalled his skill, judging alone by the work executed for the King, of which a few specimens from the Potsdam and New palaces are now exhibited’. This indicates that Kambli’s masterpieces were displayed in Paris in 1900, and if the commode was one of them it is possible that this was Zwiener's impetus to reproduce the model. The present example is consistent with Zwiener's production but is not signed. Some of the bronze mounts have been removed and are marked to their reverse 'J.H.’. Although a contemporaneous bronzier with these initials cannot be identified, they could refer to a bronzier employed by Zwiener for casting or sculpting of the mounts.
The present 19th century commode is attributed to Joseph-Émmanuel Zwiener. A virtually identical commode, circa 1895-1900, was produced by German-born but Paris-based, Zwiener and sold Sotheby’s, New York, 14 April 2008, lot 207 ($289,000). One of the premier haut luxe cabinetmakers of the late 19th century, Zwiener had made a copy of a bureau du Roi in 1884 for Ludwig II of Bavaria and was awarded a médaille d'or at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle for a magnificent jewellery-cabinet sold Christie's, London, 17 March 2011, lot 409 (£623,650). Following this success, Kaiser Wilhelm II called Zwiener back to his native Germany to undertake a substantial commission for the Berliner Schloss, including an important bedroom suite sold Sotheby's, New York, 29 June 1989, lots 270-275, now on display at Schloss Charlottenberg.
At the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, Zwiener exhibited in the German Pavilion a group of furniture produced for the Kaiser, including the bedroom suite. Interestingly, the German section featured a selection of 18th century works of art from the collection of Frederick II; this included furniture from Sanssouci (International Exposition Paris 1900, Official Catalogue Exhibition of the German Empire, pp. 62-66). Although the furniture is not identified in the exhibition catalogue, the following mention is made: 'The adaptation of tortoise shell, rare woods, and gilded bronze to purposes of furniture was practiced by a large number of skilled artists, amongst these in foremost rank was Melchior Kambly [sic], a Swiss, whose industry must at least have equalled his skill, judging alone by the work executed for the King, of which a few specimens from the Potsdam and New palaces are now exhibited’. This indicates that Kambli’s masterpieces were displayed in Paris in 1900, and if the commode was one of them it is possible that this was Zwiener's impetus to reproduce the model. The present example is consistent with Zwiener's production but is not signed. Some of the bronze mounts have been removed and are marked to their reverse 'J.H.’. Although a contemporaneous bronzier with these initials cannot be identified, they could refer to a bronzier employed by Zwiener for casting or sculpting of the mounts.