ROME, CIRCA 1775

These impressive commodes are reminiscent in their large scale and use of exotic woods to the two pair of commodes from Villa Borghese and Palazzo Borghese made by the French ébéniste Yves Livinec, active in Rome from 1763 (see A. Gonzales-Palacios Il Gusto dei Principi, Milan, 1993, pp. 230-232, pl. 451 and 461.) In particular these commodes relate to the pair made for the Stanza Gialla of Principe Marcantonio IV Borghese, most probably at Palazzo Borghese, made in conjunction with Giuseppe Valadier, which share with the present lot a strong architectural profile as well as the use of unusual pale woods such as satinwood (legno di Portogallo, the name given to satinwood in Rome at that time) and sober, simple decoration. Another commode by Livinec was sold anonymously; Sotheby's London, 11 June 2003, lot 108 and again 2 Dec 2008, lot 201. While having more figurative architectural inlay, that commode again shares with the present lot the unusual combination of satinwoods.