Lot Essay
Bernard Molitor, maître in 1787.
This commode incorporates several decorative features which appear in the documented oeuvre of Bernard Molitor. This ébéniste frequently employed identical tapering pilasters, sumounted by herm capitals with distinct braided head-dress, which feature on a related commode and secretaire, both attributed to Molitor, which are illustrated in U.Leben, Bernard Molitor 1755-1833, Luxembourg, 1995, p. 71, cat. no. 41.
The present commode is vitually identical to a commode, also attributed to Molitor, which was sold from the collection of the descendents of Eugène Süe (1804-1857), the godchild of Josephine de Beauharnais, at Christie's London, 18 May 1995, lot 67. A further related commode was sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 16 June 1995, lot 202.
See illustration
This commode incorporates several decorative features which appear in the documented oeuvre of Bernard Molitor. This ébéniste frequently employed identical tapering pilasters, sumounted by herm capitals with distinct braided head-dress, which feature on a related commode and secretaire, both attributed to Molitor, which are illustrated in U.Leben, Bernard Molitor 1755-1833, Luxembourg, 1995, p. 71, cat. no. 41.
The present commode is vitually identical to a commode, also attributed to Molitor, which was sold from the collection of the descendents of Eugène Süe (1804-1857), the godchild of Josephine de Beauharnais, at Christie's London, 18 May 1995, lot 67. A further related commode was sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 16 June 1995, lot 202.
See illustration