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Lot Essay
This fine-figured mahogany commode for a bedroom apartment is elegantly bowed with elongated angles in a French manner introduced in the 1770s by architects such as James Wyatt (d. 1813). An example of a room elevation by Wyatt is illustrated in J. Cornforth and J. Fowler, English Decoration in the 18th Century, London, 1986, fig. 13). It was almost certainly made by Gillows of Lancaster, and has Grecian-scrolled feet, whose form appeared around 1780 before being popularised by A. Hepplewhite & Co's Guide to Household Furniture, 1788.
Gillows 1788 Estimate Sketch-Book includes the handle pattern, which comprises Palmyreen Apollo-sunflowered medallion paterae wreathed by reeds that are wrapped by Roman acanthus in a manner that is likely to have been inspired by the ornament of Rome's celebrated 'Tomb of Bacchus' chest illustrated in G.B. Piranesi, Le Antichita Romane, II, Rome, 1756, pl. XXV. The related Gillow patterns are illustrated in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, figs. 117 and 121.
A related commode with these 'Roman' handles is likely to have formed part of the firm's furnishings supplied under Wyatt's direction to Sir Joshua Vanneck for Heveningham Hall, Suffolk and sold from there, Sotheby's London, 10 July 1970, lot 108.
Gillows 1788 Estimate Sketch-Book includes the handle pattern, which comprises Palmyreen Apollo-sunflowered medallion paterae wreathed by reeds that are wrapped by Roman acanthus in a manner that is likely to have been inspired by the ornament of Rome's celebrated 'Tomb of Bacchus' chest illustrated in G.B. Piranesi, Le Antichita Romane, II, Rome, 1756, pl. XXV. The related Gillow patterns are illustrated in L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, figs. 117 and 121.
A related commode with these 'Roman' handles is likely to have formed part of the firm's furnishings supplied under Wyatt's direction to Sir Joshua Vanneck for Heveningham Hall, Suffolk and sold from there, Sotheby's London, 10 July 1970, lot 108.