A South German ivory painted and parcel-gilt carved commode, Munich, based upon designs by François Cuvilliés the elder, (1695 -1768), circa 1740

of serpentine bombé form, with a painted faux verde antico marble top within a giltwood border simulating gilt-bronze with guilloche enclosing flowerheads above three long drawers centred by a rocaille and c-scroll cartouche and further rocaille and foliate carved cartouches, the canted corners carved with bold scrolls, rocaile and with a floral swag, the serpentine sides with a trellis reserve, the side aprons with lambrequins and the front apron with a stylised scallopshell, on claw and ball feet; with later gilt-bronze handles; redecorated

Sold Sotheby's New York, 27th March 1993, lot 261.

In overall very good conserved condition. Colour overall slightly darker and more attractive and natural than in the catalogue photograph. Old very minor marks and chips commensurate with age and normal usage. Evidence of old very minor worm which no longer appears to be active. The feet have been restored at the rear and strengthened. Attractive detail to carving.
"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:
H. Kreisel, Die Kunst des Deutschen Möbels, Munich, 1970, vol. II, plates 430, 434, 435, 444, 445, illustrates several related commodes after designs by François Cuvilliés.
B. Langer, Die Möbel der Residenz München, Vol. II, Munich and New York, 1996, pps. 204 -208.
A.Schick, François Cuvilliés and Joachim Dietrich: the Furnishings of the Treasury in the Munich Residenz, The Burlington Magazine, June 1996, pp. 393-395, Vol. CXXXVIII.
Various Authors, Masterpieces of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Decorative Arts, Singapore, 1997, cat. 62, page 82.
see catalogue note at sothebys.com

This rare commode typifies the South German rococo and that of its capital in particular, Munich. With its combination of bold rococo carving in parcel-gilt on an ivory coloured ground, it is loosely based upon a design by François Cuvilliés from his `Livre de Differents Desseins de Commodes '(1742-45). These designs depict elongated commodes `à traverse' with two drawers carved with rocaille decoration with deeply cut carved aprons and boldly projecting angles. The sides have a subtle `S' shape and these designs must have inspired the maker of the offered commode. Although a definitive attribution is not possible, it was probably executed by a Bavarian craftsman and the carving on the commode is of the quality of the cabinet-maker Joachim Dietrich, who worked closely with Cuvilliés for the Bavarian Elector Karl Albrecht, especially on the furnishings for the Munich Residenz. 
The form of this commode and the combination of ivory paint and parcel-gilding and boldly carved corners can also be seen on a commode illustrated by Kreisel op. cit.,fig. 434, in the Erzbischöflisches Palais (formerly the Palais Holnstein). Another comparable commode (one of a pair), with satyr heads at the angles, is in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, see Kreisel, op. cit., fig. 435.

François Cuvilliés:
François Cuvilliés (1695-1768), was one of the leading German rococo architects and designers in the first half of the 18th century. He became Court architect in Munich in 1728 and was responsible for the interiors in the Residenz, Munich around 1729-1937 and the Amelienburg in the Park of Nymphenburg near Munich (1734-39). From 1738 until his death, he published a series of engravings of designs for ornament and boiseries and furniture, sometimes derived from the publications of Lajoue and other French contemporaries.

Joachim Dietrich:  
Joachim Dietrich (1690-1753) was born in Wesrnfels/Thielenberg in central Franconia, Bavaria. He worked for the Bavarian Elector Karl Albrecht and his name appears in the documents of the Electoral Court for the first time in 1729. After a fire broke out in the Munich Residenz on the night of 14th December 1729, the Elector commissioned Cuvilliés to decorate the new Schatzkammer and work commenced in 1730, with all the wooden elements of the decoration commissioned from Dietrich's workshop including four new consoles. In 1734, Cuvilliés commissioned panelling and furniture from Dietrich when work commenced at the Amelienburg pavilion at Schloss Nymphenburg. On 14th March 1736, Dietrich became Court Sculptor and his excellent workmanship was cited in the document of appointment. There is unfortunately a paucity of information on the size of his workshop which was in the Munich suburb of Au until 1738.

See a related commode also with a green painted top in imitation of verde antico, in ivory and with parcle-gilded elements sold from the Volpi Collection, in these Rooms, 16th December 1998, lot 29 for £75,000.