A gilt-bronze-mounted Chinese black lacquer commode stamped P. Roussel Louis XV, circa 1745

marble top associated; mounts regilt

Sold, lot 358, Christie's, Monaco, 20^th June 1994 (1,635,000FF)

Visions of the East at Partridge, 5^th November to 19^th December, 1999, p. 26, illustrated.

 

Very impressive in reality and in good condition and can be placed immediately. There is a vertical crack down the left side and very thin construction cracks generally especially above the legs on the left side some of which are visible in the catalogue photograph. There is an old restored vertical crack down the right side which has been well executed and is hardly noticeable. There are very minor chips to the decoration but these can easily be touched up as the lacquer is in very good order with attractive detail. Good quality casting to the mounts. The lacquer has nice craquelure which is commensurate with age.The sabots are probably later.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Pierre Kjellberg, Le mobilier Français du XVIII siècle, Paris, 1998, p. 733, fig. A, p. 215.
Thibaut Wolversperges, Le Meuble Français en Laque au XVIII siècle, Paris, 2000, p. 304, fig. 168, for a coromandel lacquer commode with identical corner mounts by Roussel.

Pierre Roussel received Master in 1745:
He was the son of an ébéniste and settled in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, in the rue de Charenton. Between 1775 and 1780, he worked for the Prince de Condé and supplied him with 10,000 livres' worth of furniture.The inventory after Roussel's death reveals that a large amount of furniture was in tulipwood, marquetry, bois satiné or amaranth and many pieces were in lacquer. He also employed the services of the bronziers Turchin, Ravrio and the gilder Trufot.

A Chinese lacquer commode stamped by the same maker, once in the Jaime Ortiz-Patino collection with virtually identical knee mounts was sold Sotheby's, New York, 22^nd May 2001, lot 319.