IN THE LOUIS XV STYLE, CIRCA 1875

Details

A French ormolu-mounted lacquer commode
In the Louis XV Style, Circa 1875
Surmounted by a moulded serpentine Portasanta marble top, the front bombé-shaped panel depicting figures on a terrace, decorated sans traverse, with scrolling foliate inner- and outer-border, flanked to each angle by an espagnolette, the sides depicting flowers, on four cabriole legs, on pierced foliate sabots
33½ in. (85 cm.) high; 59 in. (150 cm.) wide; 27 in. (68.5 cm.) deep

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This commode is inspired by the models by Bernard Van Risen Burgh (for a note, see lot 52) and Joseph Baumhauer (d.1772), ébéniste privilégié du Roi from 1749.

The use of lacquer panels to decorate furniture was the result of the initiative of the marchands-merciers Hébert, Darnault and Poirier. Expensive chests, screens and cabinets were cut down to form the main panels on commodes, the remaining surfaces being filled in with Vernis Martin, a French lacquer invented by the Martin brothers imitating Japanese lacquer.
Hébert was the first to supply this type of furniture to the Garde-Meuble Royal in 1737. This was an ormolu-mounted Japanese lacquer commode made by B.V.R.B. for the Queen's cabinet de retraite at Fontainebleau.

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