A PAIR OF RUSSIAN 'RETOUR D'EGYPTE' ORMOLU-MOUNTED VERRE ÉGLOMISÉ AND MAHOGANY COMMODES
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A PAIR OF RUSSIAN 'RETOUR D'EGYPTE' ORMOLU-MOUNTED VERRE ÉGLOMISÉ AND MAHOGANY COMMODES

CIRCA 1800

Details
A PAIR OF RUSSIAN 'RETOUR D'EGYPTE' ORMOLU-MOUNTED VERRE ÉGLOMISÉ AND MAHOGANY COMMODES
CIRCA 1800
Each of rectangular form with later white marble top above two small drawers with ribbon-tied foliate repoussé replaced escutcheons and two long drawers, the ring handles with inset verre églomisé medallions depicting Egyptian masks, one cracked, the canted angles with verre églomisé rectangular panels depicting Egyptomania scenes within beaded borders, one panel with distressed decoration, the sides with conforming lozenge-shaped panels embellished with palmette and beaded mounts with verre églomisé panels depicting standing Egyptian figures (one panel cracked), the faceted tapering legs mounted with foliate, pierced entwined ovals and star motifs, the mahogany discoloured in areas, minor losses to mounts, with Pietro Accorsi trade label numbered '988'
34¾ in. (85.5 cm.) high; 48½ in. (123 cm.) wide; 23 in. (58.5 cm.) deep (2)
Provenance
With Pietro Accorsi, Turin.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The marble-topped and ormolu-enriched commodes are embellished in the early l9th Century antique fashion with golden Egyptian tablets and medallions in verre églomisé on a veneer, whose silken figuring recalls swagged drapery. The marble is cut above the commodes' canted pilasters that are raised on octagonal herm-tapered or quiver-like feet, with starred diadems in golden bas-relief wreathing their reed-banded capitals. While the handle-plates feature pharaonic heads and the pilaster tablets feature hieroglyphs including falcons and jackals on a blue-ground, the sides are embellished with priests bearing sacrificial implements. The latter are displayed in palm-flowered tablets, whose pearled and lozenged compartments correspond to an Egyptian pattern illustrated in 1799 in Jean-Simon de Verberie's, Cahier des desseins des Pendules and to those on a 'Commode Antique' pattern in Pierre de La Mésangère’s, Meubles et Objets de Goût, 1802. The commodes also reflect the enthusiasm for Egyptian ornament promoted by Baron Vivant Denon’ in Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Egypte, 1802.

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