Lot Essay
The pier-table commode has a cupid-bow front while its 'French' cut-cornered pilasters evoke Peace and Plenty with the fertility deity Ceres' festive harvest festoons of fruit and flowers. Its pattern recalls designs for 'French Commodes' published in Thomas Chippendale's 1762 Director (pl. LXIV-LXX). Chippendale used the same pattern handles on commodes at Goldsborough Hall, Yorkshire (see C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, vol. II, pls. 226 and 270). A very closely related commode was sold by Mrs. Nora Prince-Littler and the late Prince Littler, Esq., C.B.E., Chestham Park, Henfield, Christie's house sale, 18 April 1977, lot 152. Another pair was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 19 April 1990, lot 109.
The commode and its carved details further compares to the pair of 'Exceeding Rich Mahogy. Commodes of fine wood & wrought ornaments' supplied by Messrs. William Kilpin, William Chesson and Paul Saunders for the State Bedchamber at the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor's London residence (S. Jeffrey, The Mansion House, London, 1993, p. 166, fig. 138).
The commode and its carved details further compares to the pair of 'Exceeding Rich Mahogy. Commodes of fine wood & wrought ornaments' supplied by Messrs. William Kilpin, William Chesson and Paul Saunders for the State Bedchamber at the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor's London residence (S. Jeffrey, The Mansion House, London, 1993, p. 166, fig. 138).