A French ormolu-mounted mahogany and foliate marquetry inlaid commode

IN THE LOUIS XVI STYLE, AFTER THE MODEL BY JEAN-HENRI RIESENER, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY

细节

A French ormolu-mounted mahogany and foliate marquetry inlaid commode
In the Louis XVI Style, After the model by Jean-Henri Riesener, Late 19th/Early 20th Century
With a breakfront white marble top of bowed outline, above two deep drawers centred with a mask mount and inlaid sans traverse with a panel of flowers, a wine ewer and a fruit-filled basket, flanked to each side by a cherub, one emblematic of Love, the other of Fortune, each on a parquetry ground, between two heroic figures, flanked by a cupboard door to each side, the front with a ribbon-tied mount cast with military trophies, flanked by two female figures, the shaped apron with fleur-de-lys on a semi-sphere, acanthus and fruit-filled cornucopiae, the four square feet with acanthus mounts
80¼ in. (204 cm.) wide; 38 in. (96.5 cm.) high; 31¼ in. (79.4 cm.) deep

拍品专文

This commode, modelled from the celebrated, commode à encoignures, which was commissioned by Louis XVI and delivered in November 1775 by Jean-Henri Riesener (maiître 1768). He was appointed ébéniste du Roi in July 1774. At a cost of 28,268 livres, it was one of the most expensive pieces purchased by the crown.
The large caryatid figures represent Hercules, Mars, Prudence and Temperance. Originally the central panel was decorated with a figure of Minerva and flanked by the monograms of the King and Queen, the two cupids (symbolising Justice and Temperance) gaze. The panel was replaced during the revoultion most probably by Riesener, acting on government instructions, as well as the globe with the fleur de lys, which was then later replaced.
It is now in the Musée du Condé, Chantilly, near Paris.