Lot Essay
THIS ELEGANT SERPENTINE COMMODE DEMONSTRATES THE FASHION FOR FRENCH FURNITURE IN PORTUGAL IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY AND WAS PROBABLY EXECUTED DURING THE REIGN OF KING JOSEPH I (1750-1777). FURNITURE PRODUCED DURING THE REIGN OF HIS PREDECESSOR, KING JOHN V (1706-1750), BEARS MORE SIMILARITIES WITH ENGLISH FURNITURE. ENGLAND WAS IN FACT AN IMPORTANT ALLY OF PORTUGAL SINCE THE TREATY OF METHUEN IN 1703, WHICH CONSOLIDATED ECONOMIC, MILITARY AND SUBSEQUENTLY ARTISTIC TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. HOWEVER, AFTER THE DEATH OF JOHN V, THE NEW KING ALSO WELCOMED INFLUENCES FROM FRANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A CHARACTERISTIC LOCAL ROCOCO STYLE. (A. CIECHANOWIECKI, 'SPAIN & PORTUGAL' IN, WORLD FURNITURE, LONDON 1975, P. 162)
THE PRESENT ROSEWOOD COMMODE IS RELATED TO A MAHOGANY EXAMPLE WHICH WAS SOLD ANONYMOUSLY AT SOTHEBY'S LONDON, 9 DECEMBER 1988, LOT 94.
THE PRESENT ROSEWOOD COMMODE IS RELATED TO A MAHOGANY EXAMPLE WHICH WAS SOLD ANONYMOUSLY AT SOTHEBY'S LONDON, 9 DECEMBER 1988, LOT 94.