A gilt-bronze-mounted bois satiné amaranth, kingwood, tulipwood, sycamore and parquetry commode indistinctly stamped D. Deloose JME, Louis XV/XVI Transitional, circa 1775

of breakfront form with a moulded veined grey marble top above three frieze drawers mounted with guilloche enclosing flowerheads, above two long drawers mounted with rectangles with inverted corners with a flowerhead, the curved corners mounted with a patera, on cabriole legs terminating in scrolled feet, the whole decorated with panels of trelliswork, parquetry and cubes enclosing a flowerhead, each rear corner also stamped twice P. VYLENBURG & ZOON, cabinet maker

William, 11th Earl of Harrington (1922-2009);
Sold by the above, Sotheby's London, 22th November 1963;
Collection Princess Pauline Melikoff;
Sold by the above Sotheby's, London, 20th June 1975, lot 67.

In overall good conserved condition. Old minor marks, chips and scratches to the marble top commensurate with age and normal usage. Attractive detail to the mounts and the parquetry. Some old very minor restorations to the veneer eg there is a demi-lune patch to the top edge of the left drawer, which are all not too noticeable as they have been well executed. Some very fine hairline age cracks beneath the guilloche. Knee mounts and rosettes later and the mounts have been varnished.
"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."

This charming small scale commode relates to a pair of French royal commodes by Deloose delivered by Gilles Joubert to the Comte de Provence at the château de Marly in 1771. Of a grander scale, these share with our commode the same type of geometric parquetry with stylised flowerheads, the same guilloche frieze drawer mounts, descentes and sabots. One of these commodes stamped by Deloose was sold Sotheby’s Paris, 18th June 2002 (EUR150,000); its pair (unstamped) was sold Christie’s New York, 26th October 2001, lot 280, paired with a similar commode stamped Deloose ($446,000). Two related smaller scale commodes by Deloose were sold with Sotheby’s, one in these rooms 27^th November 1987, lot 264 (£24,000), the other Monaco, 18th June 1984, lot 255. One other similar commode by Deloose from Mrs. A. Dodge collection was sold with Sotheby’s 11th December 1987.

Daniel Deloose, or de Loose, was an ébèniste of Flemish origin who received his maitrise in 1767, thanks to a special royal edict. He worked mainly in the Transitional and Louis XVI style, both with geometric parquetry and landscape marquetry.  Also commissioned by Joubert, Deloose was the maker of a commode which was the first piece of furniture delivered to the new Queen Marie-Antoinette on 16th July 1774, Sotheby’s Monaco, 21st June 1987, lot 967.