A LOUIS XIV GILT-BRASS-MOUNTED POLYCHROME, BLACK-AND-GILT-JAPANNED COMMODE

This unusual commode is early in form – displaying angled stiles with pierced scrolls to the base typical of Louis XIV commodes in ‘boulle’ marquetry – and is decorated with beautiful painted floral garlands, chinoiserie scenes and arabesque decoration, the latter often employed in engraved form to the tops of Boulle marquetry commodes and bureaux mazarins. The commode almost certainly dates to the early 18th century and is possibly of provincial French origin or may have been made on the borders of France, perhaps in Switzerland. Its rarity is highlighted by the fact that very few have been offered for sale in recent memory, with one at Marc-Arthur Kohn, Paris, 3-6 August 2007, lot 69, which displayed similar garlands to the drawers and elaborate floral wreaths to the sides, but lacked the beautiful japanned top of this commode.
Scientific analysis of the decoration of this commode has revealed that the same ground layers were used for the top and drawer fronts, and in the polychromed areas pigments commonly used in the 18th century but not in the 19th century, including blue verditer, were present. The presence of a slightly different ground to the sides and legs of the commode implies that more than one hand was involved in its decoration.