This pair of commodes and lots and (no. 21 and 22) form an interesting group, illustrating the mid-Georgian transitional phase between the early Georgian chest-on-stand and the later Georgian commode. Thus, whilst thoroughly in the rococo idiom, the upper parts of such pieces usually stand on separate and detached bases as do this goup, an echo back to chest-on-stands, whereas in the latter part of the century commodes were conceived and constructed as a unity. In the rich rococo carving of the pair (lot [no 20]) and the lavishly cast handles of the single commode of the same date (lot [no 22]) are foreshadowed the elaborate designs for similar pieces in the first edition (1754) of Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director. The other commode (lot [no 21]) represents a development along the same lines but of slightly later date, with the added refinement of the striking horizontal bands