Pair of Italian Rosewood Inlaid 'Empire' Commodes C1820

Name: Pair of Italian Rosewood Inlaid 'Empire' Commodes C1820
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1015078
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd

Description

An Exceptional Pair of Italian Rosewood and Inlaid "Empire" Commodes c.1820.

In the fashionable Empire taste popularised by Napoleon during his conquests of Europe in the early 19th century, these commodes are a very unusual model with many interesting decorative features. They are veneered in rosewood of rich, dark colour, enhanced with inlaid brass work. The frieze drawer front incorporates wreaths of laurel leaves, the symbol of victory, and there are refined neoclassical floral inlays to the frieze in the ancient Greek taste. The piece is supported by columnar pilasters with ormolu capitals. Each commode retains its original white marble top. The commodes stand on ebonised and parcel gilt hairy paw feet.

This is a particularly unusual model of commode and the pieces incorporate all of the features associated with the most fashionable, and expensive, taste of the time. Whoever commissioned these pieces originally would have had to have been extremely wealthy, these commodes are of great character. They are highly refined and sophisticated. The marble tops add not only to their beauty but also to their practicality.

Physical Dimensions

Height

95cm (37.40")

Width

126cm (49.61")

Depth

58cm (22.83")

Declaration

Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd has dated this piece to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1015078

Dealers Internal Reference

3094

Description

An Exceptional Pair of Italian Rosewood and Inlaid "Empire" Commodes c.1820.

“

In the fashionable Empire taste popularised by Napoleon during his conquests of Europe in the early 19th century, these commodes are a very unusual model with many interesting decorative features.

Lee Wright Antiques & Interiors Ltd

They are veneered in rosewood of rich, dark colour, enhanced with inlaid brass work. The frieze drawer front incorporates wreaths of laurel leaves, the symbol of victory, and there are refined neoclassical floral inlays to the frieze in the ancient Greek taste. The piece is supported by columnar pilasters with ormolu capitals. Each commode retains its original white marble top. The commodes stand on ebonised and parcel gilt hairy paw feet.

fig 1. Pair of Italian Rosewood Inlaid 'Empire' Commodes C1820

This is a particularly unusual model of commode and the pieces incorporate all of the features associated with the most fashionable, and expensive, taste of the time. Whoever commissioned these pieces originally would have had to have been extremely wealthy, these commodes are of great character. They are highly refined and sophisticated. The marble tops add not only to their beauty but also to their practicality.