A GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED TULIPWOOD, KINGWOOD, LABURNUM AND MARQUETRY SERPENTINE COMMODE
Lot 206

A GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED TULIPWOOD, KINGWOOD, LABURNUM AND MARQUETRY SERPENTINE COMMODE

ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE LANGLOIS, CIRCA 1765-70

Closed22 November 2022

Estimate

GBP 15,000–25,000

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A GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED TULIPWOOD, KINGWOOD, LABURNUM AND MARQUETRY SERPENTINE COMMODE
ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE LANGLOIS, CIRCA 1765-70
The moulded top with a broad band inlaid with trailing flowers and with a central ribbon-tied spray of flowers within a scrolling cartouche enriched with husks, above three graduated drawers conformingly inlaid above a shaped apron with foliate rocaille mounts, flanked by keeled angles with foliate rocaille scrolling chutes, the crossbanded sides conformingly inlaid, on outswept feet with scrolling sabots, on brass castors
32 in. (81.5 cm.) high; 47 in. (120 cm.) wide; 22 in. (56 cm.) deep

Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 10 April 1975, lot 50, where acquired by Partridge Fine Arts.
Acquired by Lord and Lady Weinstock from Partridge circa 1986.

Specialist note

This curvaceous serpentine marquetry commode can be attributed to Pierre Langlois (1718-1767) on account of its form, the quality of the marquetry and the use of lavish ormolu mounts, which were probably supplied by Dominique Jean. Although of smaller scale, and with a more traditional marquetry top, it is closely related to lot 82 in this collection, also thought to be by Pierre Langlois.
Both commodes share the same scrolling foliate angle mount which is seen on several commodes, including one at West Wycombe, attributed by Thornton and Rieder to Pierre Langlois and the same bifurcated foot mount. Another typical Langlois feature is the use of striped laburnum banding which provides contrast to the more whimsical scrolling marquetry panels. Constructional features such as the chamfered panelled back with a black wash also indicate Langlois’s workshop.
For further information on Langlois please see lot 82.