An Italian tulipwood, kingwood, rosewood, fruitwood, walnut and marquetry commode, probably by Giovanni Maffezzoli (1776-1818), Cremona, late 18th/early 19th century

with a later inset mottled mustard and peach breccia marble top above three long drawers, the inverted corners with Ionic stop fluted freestanding columns on tapering feet, the whole inlaid with geometric reserves, scrolling foliage and neo-classical motifs including griffins and cherubs flanking neo-classical vases in the manner of Piranesi

In overall good conserved condition. Colour less orange more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. There are some very miniscule chips along the edges of the later marble top which are not too noticeable with some medium sized chips beneath the rear edge which are visible due to the top being inset. There are some very minor sections of veneer missing which can either be left or restored.The drawers have later runners.There are some old very minor restorations to the veneer eg restored cracks in the left side but these have been well executed and are hardly noticeable. There are some scattered age cracks which are normal and can be left. There is a section chipped off the reverse of the front right and the front left foot but this is hardly noticeable.The decoration on the columns has been refreshed.
"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
Luisa Bandera , Giovanni Maffezzoli Intarsiatore Cremonese, Antichita Viva, September-October 1964, no.78.
Alvar González-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, La Toscana e L’Italia Settrionale, Milan, 1986, p. 276, plates XLVI and XLVII.

This commode was probably made by the Cremonese cabinet-maker and inlayer Giovanni Maffezzoli (1776-1818) and it is the pair to a commode sold with Sotheby’s London, 5^th July 2006, lot 200 (£69,600), see fig. 1.

The geometric reserves on the front with griffins flanking a neo-classical vase and entwined acanthus are reminiscent of a design by Giocondo Albertolli (1742-1839) published in his book of engravings, plate XVI from the volume, Ornamenti Diversi representing, 'Quarta parte dell'Ornato del Volto eseguito di Stucco nella Camera dui Udienza di S.A.R. La Serenissima Sig. ra Arciduchessa in Milano', Milan, 1782, (Milan Private Collection), reproduced here in fig. 2.

The present commode can be compared with commodes illustrated by Alvar González-Palacios, op. cit., p. 276, plates XLVI and XLVII by Maffezzoli with architectural scenes and projecting columns as on the offered commode. Also see Bandera op. cit., p. 49, fig. 15, for a top with an entwined acanthus motif similar to the one in the reserves on the front of this commode and p.54, figs. 222-24 for an elliptical motif similar to that on the front of this commode.

It is worthwhile comparing the offered commode with a suite of commodes and commodini by the same maker inlaid with architectural scenes but with the same freestanding columns and with originally inset marbles, the large pair sold as lot 316, in these Rooms, 13^th June 2001 (£221,500), the pair of commodini sold for £122,500.

Born in Cremona, Maffezzoli was the most gifted pupil of the celebrated Lombard cabinet-maker Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814), in whose workshop he started his apprenticeship at fifteen. There is a group of furniture by the Cremonese maker in various private collections in Cremona and other pieces, previously in Palazzo Mina-Bolsezi in the same town which have now been dispersed, some of which are signed and dated from 1795-1802.

Albertolli was a leading Italian neo-classical ornamental designer and was well known for his work on Palazzo Reale in Milan where he undertook the interior decoration. He was also responsible for the decoration of Palazzo Pitti in Florence and for his volumes of engraved designs which were very influential on Italian 18th century cabinet-makers such as Maggiolini and Maffezzoli.