AN EARLY LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED AMARANTH AND PARQUETRY COMMODE A ENCOIGNURES

This celebrated and published commode was executed by Jacques-Philppe Carel (1688-1755) who learned his craft in both Paris and Grenoble, where he worked as a companion with the Hache brothers. In 1720 he returned to Paris where he became maître in 1723. Although relatively little is known of his oeuvre, Carel is recorded to have collaborated with Gaudreaus father and son, who delivered furniture to the royal court at Versailles from 1726. The volume of orders from the many Royal palaces and residences was so vast that they depended on cooperating ébénistes, such as M. and A. Criaerd and F. Mondon. His most important commissions include a secretaire en pente for Madame de Pompadour and another for Mesdames Louise et Sophie at Versailles.