Lot Essay
The design of the present commode follows that of an original model executed in 1778 by Riesener (maître 1768; d. 1806) for the cabinet de retraite of Louis XVI at the château de Fontainebleau and later moved to the king's bibliotheque at the château de Versailles. Acquired in the early 19th century by Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton, the Versailles commode was sold in Christie's sale of the contents of Hamilton Palace, Lanarkshire, held 17 June-20 July 1882 (lot 517; 3,060 guineas). It was later acquired by Baron Nathaniel von Rothschild and eventually sold in Christie's sale of Works of Art from the Collection of the Barons Nathaniel and Albert von Rothschild, London, 8 July 1999, lot 201. It is now back at Versailles.