A gilt-bronze mounted ebony and fruitwood inlaid kingwood, amaranth, sycamore and marquetry commode, in the manner of Mewesen, Louis XV/XVI Transitional, circa 1775

with a moulded rectangular white marble top above curved corners mounted with a fluted tapering bracket with berried swag and foliate finial inlaid to simulate fluting, with a drawer in the frieze mounted with guilloche enclosing flowerheads, with two further drawers below inset similarly to the sides with panels of flowerhead trellis, on cabriole legs and gilt-bronze acanthus cast paw feet; mounts regilt

In overall good conserved condition. Attractive detail to the casting and chasing of the mounts. The inlay is also well executed. Old minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age and normal usage. Very minor chips along the rear edge of the marble top with an old repair and infill to the front left corner. The mounts are a little dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. Some scattered very fine age cracks to the veneer.
"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."

The distinctive octagonal parquetry panels with flowerheads seen on this commode are present on a number of similarly proportioned commodes by Pierre-Harry Mewesen (maître in 1766), namely one in the Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon (see Isabel Pereira Coutinho, 18^th century French Furniture: Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, 1999, p.205, inv. nr. 126) and another sold Sotheby’s Paris, 18th June 2002, lot 112 (€32,000). A very similar commode attributed to Mewesen was sold Christie’s London, Champalimaud Collection, 6th July 2005, lot 42 (£110,400), sharing with the present lot comparable proportions, marquetry panels and the same guilloche frieze, sabots and corner mounts. Martin Carlin also used the same type of marquetry panels and mounts which means that both were more than likely working for the same marchand-mercier, possibly Adrien Faizelot Delorme.