A GEORGE III SERPENTINE COMMODE 

A magnificent George III serpentine bombe commode of outstanding colour and patina, in the manner of John Cobb. The harewood ground inlaid throughout with the finest marquetry, each panel centred with a classical vase adorned with stylised silk ribbons trailing branches of roses, forget-me-nots and harebells, cross banded in tulipwood with boxwood stringing. The whole mounted with fine ormolu.
In the manner of John Cobb.

This colourful ‘commode-table’ is conceived in the French/antique manner introduced in the 1760s for the window-piers of fashionable reception dressing-rooms. Thomas Chippendale promoted such beautiful ‘French Commodes’, with the third edition of his , Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, 1762; and being intended for decoration rather than use, they were later considered appropriate also for Drawing Rooms.

This example is inlaid with the most graceful sprays of flowers and classical urns in the manner of Robert Adam. These would have originally been stained a number of different colours but have now faded to a mellow golden colour. Although tentative, the attribution to Cobb is in part due to the close similarity between the inlay on this commode and the inlay on other commodes attributed to him.

CONDITION REPORT ON REQUEST.