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A MERCURY GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED KINGWOOD, AMARANTH AND SATINÉ COMMODE, LOUIS XV, CIRCA 1745, STAMPED B.V.R.B. |
Estimate
150,000 - 250,000 EUR
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Description
- Haut. 85 cm, larg. 105 cm, prof. 53 cm ; height 33½in., width 41⅓in., depth 20¾in.
with a Sarrancolin marble top above two front drawers, the veneered marquetry with scrolled foliage, with a gilt-bronze foliate and acanthus leaf cartouche, on curved legs; (the marble top restored)
Literature
- P. Verlet, La maison du XVIIIe siècle en France, Paris, 1966, p. 57 (ill.)
RELATED LITERATURE
- A. Pradère, Les ébénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution, Paris, 1989, pp. 182-199
RELATED LITERATURE
- A. Pradère, Les ébénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution, Paris, 1989, pp. 182-199
Condition
The photographs are accurate. Beautiful piece of furniture, rare among the works by BVRB. The marquetry and the veneer are in good condition. The veneer is not lifting, it is not dry. There are the few usual patched restorations to the veneer, mostly on the edges of the drawers and on the rear edges of the commode. It has been noticed that the carcass is made of oak and unexpectedly also of pine. The commode has been restored several years ago. During this restoration the surface of the carcass (top, back and bottom) have been completely black painted. It is possible that a few pieces of wood from the structure have been restored or replaced at this stage, but it is impossible to verify with the black juice. Some black juice areas voluntary removed on the back to check a possible presence of inventory number (no traces of inventory number). Anyway, the commode is in pretty condition and ready to display. The bronze mounts are high quality with an exquisite chasing. The four handles are later additions. They have mercury gilding; they have been slightly cleaned up. There is a small ornament which needs to be properly refixed on the right side of the commode (on the lower cartouche). The rear edges of the commode possibly previously with gilt-bronze "chutes". The brass bands under the "chutes" on the front legs are later additions. The marble top is with some scattered patched restorations throughout the surface; the restoration of the rear left corner of the top (broken and restucked) would need to be reviewed. The commode is stamped on the rear left corner (difficult to see) and partially visible on the front left corner. The piece is in good expected and restored condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This marquetry commode is remarkable for the quality of its execution. It is fundamental to the works by the cabinetmaker Bernard II Vanrisamburgh and shows a change in the composition of the marquetry design with the asymmetrical marquetry framed by the more symmetrical gilt bronze cartouche. The marquetry design realises a freely formed pattern of kingwood with foliage and flowers against a satiné background arranged in radiant reserves bursting from openwork clasps, the whole within an amaranth frame. It is similar to the decor on the secrétaire en pente delivered by the marchand-mercier Joachim Hébert in 1745 for the Dauphine’s apartments in the Palace of Versailles (inv. V5268, see fig. 1). The asymmetrical pattern is characteristic of a looser Rocaille style. Bernard II Vanrisamburgh gradually abandoned the satiné background in favour of tulipwood as is evident on the commode auctioned at Sotheby's, New York, 6 November 6, 1982, lot 186, where his more toned down floral arrangements show a move towards a more pronounced symmetry, typical of the evolution of the Rocaille style in 1755-60.
The gilt bronze ornamentation belongs to the repertoire of B.V.R.B. We find the same cascades and gilt bronze sabot on the secrétaire en pente at Versailles, while the edging of the facade and sides is identical to those that decorate several pieces of lacquered furniture including the red lacquered commode auctioned in Paris, Palais Galliera, 2 March 1972, lot 109 and the famous Japanese-lacquered commode by B.V.R.B. delivered in 1737 to Queen Maria Leczinska at the Château de Fontainebleau (Sotheby's, Monaco, 17 June 1988, lot 752), now in the Louvre Museum (inv. OA 11193, see fig. 3).
The gilt bronze ornamentation belongs to the repertoire of B.V.R.B. We find the same cascades and gilt bronze sabot on the secrétaire en pente at Versailles, while the edging of the facade and sides is identical to those that decorate several pieces of lacquered furniture including the red lacquered commode auctioned in Paris, Palais Galliera, 2 March 1972, lot 109 and the famous Japanese-lacquered commode by B.V.R.B. delivered in 1737 to Queen Maria Leczinska at the Château de Fontainebleau (Sotheby's, Monaco, 17 June 1988, lot 752), now in the Louvre Museum (inv. OA 11193, see fig. 3).