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Lot Essay
The form of this commode is derived from a pattern for a 'French Commode Table' in the third edition of Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 3rd. ed., 1763, pl. XLVIII, illustrated in L. White, Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Design, Woodbridge, 1990, p. 180, and has parallels with a group of similar commodes supplied to the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (d.1782) for Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire. A mahogany commode was sold from Wentworth Woodhouse, Christie's London (Spencer House), London, 15 July 1948, lot 110, while another, which was executed in sabicu and featured a `Chinese' pattern bracket foot, was sold from the house, Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, lot 69 (£29,900 including premium). One such commode was listed in Wentworth's 'Blue Papered Bed Chamber', as a 'mahogany commode with 5 drawers and 2 cupboards' and in a house of the scale of Wentworth Woodhouse, it is likely that a number of commodes of this general pattern would have been commissioned, with variations in the detail.
The design of the splendid Rockingham 'pier commode table' and bedroom furnishings can be attributed to the London-trained 'Upholders' Richard Wright and Edward Elwick of Wakefield, Yorkshire (fl. 1745-1771). Both were subscribers to The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754, the London furniture pattern-book that publicised the work and designs of the Yorkshire-born St. Martin's Lane cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale. There were extensive payments over some years from the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham to Wright and Elwick and certain characteristics of the Wentworth Woodhouse furniture correspond closely with their known oeuvre.
Other commodes of this design include::
1. A commode at Nostell Priory in 1906, illustrated in P. Macquoid, A History of English Furniture, London, 1906, p.153, fig.135, which has bracket feet similar to those of the Wentworth Woodhouse sabicu commode.
2. A commode sold anonymously, Sotheby's New York, 27 January 1996, lot 318 (£13,800 including premium), illustrated in F. Lewis Hinckley, A Directory of Queen Anne, Early Georgian and Chippendale Furniture, New York, 1971, p. 238, pl. 429. Like the present lot it was raised on plinths but the handle mounts are of a mid-18th century rococo-chinoiserie pattern; it also features carrying-handles at each side.
3. A commode sold by the executors of the late Lady Hollenden, Christie's, London, 23 November 2006, lot 10 (£48,000 including premium). It too was raised on plinths and featured the same handle pattern.
The design of the splendid Rockingham 'pier commode table' and bedroom furnishings can be attributed to the London-trained 'Upholders' Richard Wright and Edward Elwick of Wakefield, Yorkshire (fl. 1745-1771). Both were subscribers to The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754, the London furniture pattern-book that publicised the work and designs of the Yorkshire-born St. Martin's Lane cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale. There were extensive payments over some years from the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham to Wright and Elwick and certain characteristics of the Wentworth Woodhouse furniture correspond closely with their known oeuvre.
Other commodes of this design include::
1. A commode at Nostell Priory in 1906, illustrated in P. Macquoid, A History of English Furniture, London, 1906, p.153, fig.135, which has bracket feet similar to those of the Wentworth Woodhouse sabicu commode.
2. A commode sold anonymously, Sotheby's New York, 27 January 1996, lot 318 (£13,800 including premium), illustrated in F. Lewis Hinckley, A Directory of Queen Anne, Early Georgian and Chippendale Furniture, New York, 1971, p. 238, pl. 429. Like the present lot it was raised on plinths but the handle mounts are of a mid-18th century rococo-chinoiserie pattern; it also features carrying-handles at each side.
3. A commode sold by the executors of the late Lady Hollenden, Christie's, London, 23 November 2006, lot 10 (£48,000 including premium). It too was raised on plinths and featured the same handle pattern.