Offered by GSLR Antiques
Fine commode in mahogany veneer on oak, with uprights featuring Egyptian female heads in finely chased and mercury-gilt bronze. The bronze mounts are complemented by two palmette corner mounts and laurel wreath ring handles. The front feet are adorned with flattened ball-shaped ornaments in chased and gilt bronze, while the rear feet are in mahogany.
It is fitted with four drawers with trefoil locks, including a smaller drawer in the frieze.
Black Petit Granit marble top.
By Pierre-Benoît Marcion, Empire period work, circa 1808, unstamped.
A commode of the same construction, with identical bronze mounts and variations in the other bronze ornaments, stamped by Marcion, stood in the bedroom of the Petit Trianon in 1810, before entering the collections of the Palace of Compiègne.
The heads wear a highly elaborate nemes headdress extending down the front. It is held in place across the forehead by a kind of diadem decorated with palmettes, beneath which emerges a succession of small curls. The oval face is inspired by Greco-Roman models, with a straight nose, well-defined and delicately shaped lips, and large eyes. The ears, however, protrude.
This model of head can be compared with those found on other commodes or console tables produced by Marcion. The carving is original to Marcion and is not found in the decorative repertoire of other cabinetmakers or bronziers. (Bibliography: Marcion, ébéniste de Napoléon by Jean-Pierre Planchon.)
Thus, although unstamped, there is no doubt that our commode is the work of Marcion.
Pierre-Benoît Marcion (1769–1840) was, alongside Jacob, the principal supplier of furniture to the Imperial Palaces and dignitaries of the Empire.
Our commode is a fine collector's piece, with a rare finish that can unquestionably be dated strictly to the Empire period.
The Empire style is generally understood as extending from the Consulate period (when furniture still retained structures and finishes influenced by the 18th century) to the beginning of the Restoration (when Empire furniture adopted bronze ornamentation with a less martial, more graceful and floral decorative vocabulary).
Our commode, however, undoubtedly belongs to the period between these two stylistic phases: the pure Empire style. Straight, martial forms inspired by Antiquity, but with an almost archaeological approach to design.
This is an interesting and uncommon model, distinguished by its attention to detail and finish. The presence of bronze feet on the front is an original and rare feature.
Excellent condition, with newly applied traditional French polish. Beautiful, well-preserved mercury gilding.
Length: 131.5 cm Height: 96 cm Depth: 57.5 cm
