Lot Essay
This commode can be related to the oeuvre of Antoine Criaerd, eldest brother of the foremost ébéniste Matthieu Criaerd.
Antoine appears to have specialised in Régence commodes en tombeau inlaid with discrete geometric parquetry as illustrated by a closely related commode executed by the ébéniste and featuring virtually identical figurative handles, espagnolettes and shell mount to the apron (sold Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 4 May 1984, lot 80 ($28,600 with premium). A further related example, featuring closely related escutcheons, handles and apron shell mount, was sold more recently at Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 14 December 2007, lot 145.
Antoine appears to have specialised in Régence commodes en tombeau inlaid with discrete geometric parquetry as illustrated by a closely related commode executed by the ébéniste and featuring virtually identical figurative handles, espagnolettes and shell mount to the apron (sold Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 4 May 1984, lot 80 ($28,600 with premium). A further related example, featuring closely related escutcheons, handles and apron shell mount, was sold more recently at Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 14 December 2007, lot 145.