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Lot Essay
The veneers used in the construction of this commode are likely to be Chittagong wood. A timber found in North-east India and Burma which is very similar in appearance to sabicu. Sabicu, however, is little recorded in the 18th century as a cabinet wood. Chittagong wood is similar to mahogany is weight, texture and working properties, but is browner than the red mahogany colour (A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London, 2001, p. 398 [Glossary of Materials]).
The S-pattern keyhole features alomst exclusively on furniture by Thomas Chippendale (d. 1779) or John Cobb, such as the pair of bookcases supplied by Chippendale to Sir Penistone Lamb for the Library at Brocket Hall in 17720-775 (C. Gilbert, The Live and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, figs. 77, 80 and 267). They also appear on a drum table almost certainly supplied by Chippendale for Brocket Hall and sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 9 July 1998, lot 80. A commode attributed to John Cobb, and sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 19 April 2001, lot 148, had S-pattern locks, which included a serpentine-headed key.
The S-pattern keyhole features alomst exclusively on furniture by Thomas Chippendale (d. 1779) or John Cobb, such as the pair of bookcases supplied by Chippendale to Sir Penistone Lamb for the Library at Brocket Hall in 17720-775 (C. Gilbert, The Live and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, figs. 77, 80 and 267). They also appear on a drum table almost certainly supplied by Chippendale for Brocket Hall and sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 9 July 1998, lot 80. A commode attributed to John Cobb, and sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 19 April 2001, lot 148, had S-pattern locks, which included a serpentine-headed key.