An exceptionally fine Louis XV bombe Kingwood commode of exceptional colour and patina retaining original period gilt bronze mounts and with a Breche Violette marble.



c. 1750

Originally, in French furniture, a Commode introduced about 1700 meant a low cabinet, or chest of drawers at the height of the dado rail (à hauteur d'appui). A commode, made by a cabinet-maker and applied with gilt-bronze mounts, was a piece of veneered case furniture much wider than it was high, raised on high or low legs and with (commode à vantaux) or without enclosing drawers. The piece of furniture would be provided with a marble slab top selected to match the marble of the chimneypiece. A commode occupied a prominent position in the room for which it was intended: it stood against the pier between the windows, in which case it would often be surmounted by a mirror glass, or a pair of identical commodes would flank the chimneypiece or occupy the centre of each end wall. Bombé commodes, with surfaces shaped in three dimensions were a feature of the rococo style called "Louis Quinze". Rectilinear neoclassical or "Louis Seize" commodes might have such deep drawers or doors that the feet were en toupie-in the tapering turned shape of a child's spinning top. Both rococo and neoclassical commodes might have cabinets flanking the main section, in which case such a piece was a commode à encoignures, pairs of encoignures or corner-cabinets might also be designed to complement a commode and stand in the flanking corners of a room. If a commode had open shelves flanking the main section it was a commode à l'anglaise


Height33.00 inch(83.8 cm)

Width51.00 inch(129.5 cm)

Depth26.00 inch(66.0 cm)

Ref No. 1476