THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN (lots 80-83)
A PAIR OF GEORGE III HAREWOOD AND MARQUETRY COMMODES

Details
A PAIR OF GEORGE III HAREWOOD AND MARQUETRY COMMODES
Each decorated overall with boxwood and ebonised lines, and crossbanded in tulipwood and amaranth, the semi-circular top with a central fruitwood fan and foliate, semi-circular medallion and a ribbon-tied foliage trail, above a pair of doors with oval satinwood panels, one commode enclosing three long drawers, the other commode enclosing nine variously-sized short drawers and with hinged doors to the sides enclosing two shelves, losses to the central door divide on one commode
54¼in. (138cm.) wide; 36¾in. (93cm.) high; 24¾in. (63cm.) deep
Provenance
Supplied to the Berens family for Kevington, St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Thence by descent.

Lot Essay

This form of compass-fronted and medallion-enriched commode was popularised by Robert and James Adam's, The Works in Architecture, London, 1774. (vol. 11, pl. VIII, no. 1). These commodes with satinwood medallions and herm-footed pilasters, related to a commode pattern in The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices, 1788 (pl. 10. fig. 2).

A similar commode in pollard elm and yewwood was offered anonymously, Christie's New York, 20 January 1996, lot 460 and another related commode in mahogany was offered anonymously in these Rooms, 28 June 1984, lot 116.

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