A Mid-18th Century Transitional Commode
£6,500
SOLD
A fine mid-eighteenth century Transitional parquetry commode, veneered throughout in rosewood and tulip wood, stained fruitwood and boxwood stringing, the Gris St Anne marble top set above three short and two long drawers, and all raised upon shaped bracket feet.
The overall form of this commode is Neo-Classical – the inlay is very geometric and it enjoys a perfect symmetry of straight lines. Yet the bracket feet are shapely, reflecting the last resonances of the rococo movement in art. In the late 1760s both styles fought for supremacy until the reign of Louis XVI when Classicism became the dominant style in the Age of Enlightenment.
It is worth observing the quality of veneers used in the making of this piece. Tulip wood and rosewood are both exotic timbers and were very expensive to import into Europe. This commode belongs to the luxury class of eighteenth century furniture. It would have been made for an important house and no expense has been spared in its construction.
