Royal & Noble Including Jewels from an Important Noble Collection
Royal & Noble Including Jewels from an Important Noble Collection
Property of a Lady of Title
A Régence black-japanned commode, circa 1725
Lot Closed
January 17, 03:10 PM GMT
Estimate
18,000 - 25,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the moulded brêche d'Alep top above three drawers between canted stiles, with black japanned decoration throughout depicting swags of flowers enclosed by gilt strapwork borders, the drawers with brass escutcheons and drop handles, the sides centred by panels depicting still lifes of baskets of flowers resting on a table, on toupie feet, the decoration with retouching
76.5cm. high, 116cm. wide, 63cm. deep
This lot will be on view in our New Bond Street galleries on 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th and 17th January 2024.
The commode is adorned with ‘japanned’ decorations, mimicking East Asian lacquer through a European perspective —a testament to the growing interest in chinoiserie and lacquer during the eighteenth century. Notably, it incorporates European motifs into its use of the japanning technique rather than adopting an Eastern aesthetic. The form of this piece is a late development of the commode as born in the Louis XIV reign. The floral patterns draw clear inspiration from Dutch still-life paintings, a style at its peak in the 17th century, with renowned painters such as Jan Davidsz de Heem and and Jan van Huysum influencing the decorative arts, including marquetry. There is another japanned commode almost certainly from the same workshop, but with the original japanned top sold in Sotheby’s Paris, 17 December 2002, lot 29. Additionally, another japanned commode with European motifs and decorations depicting figures in 18th-century costume was sold in the same room, 9 June 2015, lot 157.