Lee Wright Antiques and Interiors

Description

An Unusual Pair of Late 18th Century North Italian Commodes with Fall Fronts c.1800

Veneered in a combination of yew wood and cherry, these fine commodes are of rectangular form and stand on four tapering square sectioned legs. The pilasters in the lower section are canted and there are fine quality carved heads of gentlemen dressed in the classical style with original gilding. The haircuts of the figures are unusual however, and the gentlemen depicted do not appear to be the usual Roman emperors or classical gods normally encountered on such pieces. This suggests that the pieces might well have been specially commissioned. The other mounts used on the piece are also of exceptionally quality carved and gilded wood especially in the middle of the top drawer, and seem to relate to the theme of wine and entertaining as they contain vine leaves and/or grapes, suggesting that these fine pieces were originally made for a fine dining room in northern Italy.

The commodes have two small drawers in their upper sections and the lower sections, with diamond shaped escutcheon plates. They have unusual fall fronts which are locking and conceal the two full length drawers, one deeper than the other. A fall front on a commode is very rare. The veneers are laid at angles to create a geometric bookmatched effect that continues around both sides as well as on the front.