a louis xvi ormolu-mounted mahogany commode

BY JEAN CAUMONT

Details
a louis xvi ormolu-mounted mahogany commode
By Jean Caumont
The rounded rectangular break-front white-veined grey marble top above a frieze drawer with a central rounded raised panel flanked by a similar smaller panel to either side, above a moulded border and two further drawers with conforming panels above a waved apron centred by a channelled urn flanked by C-scrolls, between rounded angles and on cabriole legs, terminating in acanthus-wrapped paw feet, stamped J. Caumont and J.M.E twice, the raised panels probably later and applied in the 19th century, treces of different mounts to the reverse, minor restorations
86cm. high x 95cm. wide x 47cm. deep

Lot Essay

Jean Caumont, maître in 1774.

Jean Caumont was based in the rue Traversière. His documented oeuvre is considerable and eclectic, mainly executed in the Transition and full-blown Louis XVI style, and embellished with marquetry scenes of musical trophies and flower-vases or with carefully chosen mahogany veneers with constrasting ormolu mounts. The Comte de Salverte describes this ébéniste extensively and mentions a Louis XVI giltwood console table stamped by Caumont in the Mobilier National and a secretaire à abattant in the collection of Mme Demachy at the Château d'Ognon. (Comte de Salverte, Les Ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle, Paris, 1953, p.52)
Caumont played an active role in the revolution and was elected juge de paix. He handed the leadership of his atelier over to his son in 1795 and was thereafter mainly engaged in politics. (P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1989, p.169)

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