MID-18TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF PORTUGUESE ORMOLU-MOUNTED ROSEWOOD AND FRUITWOOD MARQUETRY COMMODES
MID-18TH CENTURY
Inlaid overall with floral sprays within shaped reserves, each with a breccia de Tavira serpentine-fronted marble top above two shaped drawers with foliate handles and a shaped apron, the angles with pierced rockwork, the sides centred by conforming decoration, on cabriole legs terminating in foliate sabots, one with an old green-bordered paper label, the mounts later, probably originally conceived without mounts
34¾ in. (88.5 cm.) high; 52¼ in. (132.5 cm.) wide; 27 in. (68.5 cm.) deep

Provenance

The Dukes of Lafões, Lisbon, Portugal, Christie's, London, 9 December 2010, lot 246.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Christiaan van Rechteren

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

cvanrechteren@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2349

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

The multi-coloured marquetry with broad ribbon-scrolled cartouches, bordered by further cartouches of flower-filled trellis relate these striking commodes to a similarly serpentine and bombé shaped pair of commodes in the Queen's dressing room in the Palace of Queluz, Lisbon. The latter pair was probably acquired at the time of Prince Don Pedro's marriage in 1760 to Princess Donna Maria Francesca (d. 1816) and is illustrated in M.I. Ferro, Queluz, The Palace and Gardens, London, 1997, p. 88. The distinct trellis reserves set against the dark kingwood or rosewood fonds which these Portuguese mid-18th century marquetry and parquetry commodes share can also be found on a pair that sold at Christie's London, 2 December 1998, lot 50 (£221,500).

More from European Noble & Private Collections Including Fine Tapestries

View All