Lot Essay
This commode, with its tripartite breakfront configuration of the doors, belongs to a group of commodes stylistically favoured by Weisweiler and repeated numberous times in his oeuvre. Variations in some incorporate plain veneers of thuya or mahogany such as the model supplied by Dominique Daguerre in 1787 for the Cabinet Intérieur du Roi at Saint-Cloud (P. Lemonnier, op.cit, p. 133) or the commode listed in the 1787 Versailles inventory in the Chambre de Madame (op.cit., p. 57) which although fitted with drawers has identical arched panels. This model was particularly appropriate for the display of exotic Oriental lacquer and seventeenth century pietra dura panels as well as porcelain plaques. A lavish example set with seventeenth century pietra dura panels within 'Boulle' marquetry borders in the Royal Collection was acquired by the Prince of Wales for Carlton House, possibly at the sale of some of Daguerre's stock at Christie's London, 25-26 March 1791, lot 59 of the first day (Carlton House, The Past Glories of George IV's Palace, The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Exhibition Catalogue, 1991-1992, pp. 76-77, no. 28). This sale included two commodes presumably of this model although the descriptions do not allow certain identification with any of the known examples - lot 60 of the first day 'AN ELEGANT COMMODE, comprised of the very rare old raised Japan and veined marble top, rich MOUNTED in or-moulu' and lot 71 of the second day 'A fine commode of the fine old Japan, with marble top and rich arabesque frieze of or-moulu'.
Of the commodes mounted with the Japanese lacquer so highly prized by French collectors such as Madame de Pompadour and the Duc de Bouillon, the closest parallel to the offered lot is the commode from the Bardac, Espirito Santo and de Pauw collections, sold Sotheby's Monaco, 22 June 1986, lot 638. Another commode similarly panelled with Japanese lacquer was sold in the Keck Collection, Sotheby's New York, 5-6 December 1991, lot 276. More elaborately mounted similarly panelled examples are in the Wrightsman Collection (see F.J.B. Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1966, vol. I, no. 88) and the Kansas City Museum.
Of the commodes mounted with the Japanese lacquer so highly prized by French collectors such as Madame de Pompadour and the Duc de Bouillon, the closest parallel to the offered lot is the commode from the Bardac, Espirito Santo and de Pauw collections, sold Sotheby's Monaco, 22 June 1986, lot 638. Another commode similarly panelled with Japanese lacquer was sold in the Keck Collection, Sotheby's New York, 5-6 December 1991, lot 276. More elaborately mounted similarly panelled examples are in the Wrightsman Collection (see F.J.B. Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1966, vol. I, no. 88) and the Kansas City Museum.