Christie’s roundel
Lot 368

A LATE LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, TULIPWOOD AND FRUITWOOD COMMODE

ATTRIBUTED TO CHARLES TOPINO, CIRCA 1765

Closed9 December 2009

Estimate

GBP 30,000–50,000

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A LATE LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, TULIPWOOD AND FRUITWOOD COMMODE
ATTRIBUTED TO CHARLES TOPINO, CIRCA 1765
The later shaped moulded brèche d'Alep marble top above a rosette and guilloche frieze and two long drawers mounted with flaming urns atop leafy branches, the sides conformingly-inlaid, the angles mounted with husk swags, on cabriole legs with paw sabots, regilt
35 in. (89 cm.) high; 45 in. (114.5 cm.) wide; 23 in. (59 cm.) deep

Marquis de Breteuil.
H.R.H. The Duke of Windsor.
Leon Helft.
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, New York, 16 May 1987, lot 136, where acquired by the present owner.

Specialist note

Charles Topino, maître in 1773.

With its typical shape and ormolu mounts, this commode relates to another also stamped by Topino, of a larger size, which was exhibited in 'Grands Ebénistes et Menuisiers Parisiens du XVIIIe siècle', Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, December 1955 - February 1956, lot 321 and then sold, Collection Georges Heine, Ader Picard Tajan, Paris, 23 March 1971, lot 105. A further related but larger commode by Topino is illustrated in J. Nicolay, L'Art et la Manière des Maîtres Ebénistes au XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1956, fig.AH.

Charles Topino (d. 1803), of the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine specialised in light, delicate furniture often enriched with marquetry panels of flowers or 'naif' still-lifes. His characteristic bronzes dorés were cast by Viret, chased by Chamboin and Dubuisson and gilded by Bicard, Gerard and Vallet. His principal customers were marchands-merciers and fellow ébénistes including Dautriche, Denizot, Guillaume and Héricourt (G. de Bellaigue, The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor: Furniture, Clocks and Gilt Bronzes, London, 1974, vol. II, p. 880-882).