Of quite heavy Santo Domingan timbers, in
chest form, the overhanging thumb-molded top
over a conforming
upright case having four cockbeaded dummy drawers,
each retaining
the original finely cast fire-gilt rococo brasses,
the upper section opening
by a small lever within the keyhole escutcheon to a void storage
cupboard,
the lower section with a pullout compartment, now fitted
with a gilt-tooled green leather removable top,
the whole raised on
four large bracket feet; of finest quality;
red-washed back and underneath; each internal foot laminated**
**The attribution to Chippendale is based on several features:
the overall fine quality of the timber and the finished workmanship of the piece,
as well as constructional aspects, including two characteristics
found almost exclusively with Chippendale's oeuvre :
the laminated construction of blocks behind the feet (mahogany blocks on the present commode)
the distinctive red wash to the underside and backboards.
In addition, the fire-gilt bails and backplates are illustrated in
The Life and Works of Thomas Chippendale, Volume II, Christopher Gilbert, 1978 :
p. 147, fig. 270, a detail from fig. 226, p. 126, Commode, Goldsborough Hall;
p. 139, fig. 249, Clothes Press, Harewood;
p. 236, fig. 432, Llibrary Table, Dumfries Home, p. 236, fig. 432
What we now call a "bedside commode" is listed in Gilbert as "night table",
with only three illustrated, one from Harewood House (p. 249).
These today serve well as small chair and sofa-side tables,
the pullout commode sections with leather removable "table" surfaces.
Ref : Rufus Bird, Who was the 'Dumfries House Cabinet-Maker'
Christie's catalog,
Dumfries House, July 3, 2007, pp. 7-11, fig. 12
Christopher Gilbert, 'The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale', London, 1978, op. cit.
Condition : Excellent retaining rich
mellow color and patina; small shrinkage line to the pull-out
drawer;
one small piece of cockbeading missing to lower drawer side;
althought most Chippendale cabinetry employs plain keyhole inserts,
we find no indication of a change on this piece
28.5" High x 24.5"
Wide x 18.5" Deep (closed), extending to 34” Deep
Price : PLEASE INQUIRE
#6732
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