Rare early 18thc French Kingwood Louis XV commode of bold proportions

Rare early 18thc French Kingwood Louis XV commode of bold proportions
Code: LVS540

Dimensions:W: 156cm (61.4")H: 91.5cm (36")D: 68.5cm (27")
POA
Insured UK mainland delivery included in list price.

An extremely rare early 18th century French Kingwood Louis XV (1740) two drawer bombe shaped commode of bold proportions, stamped, possibly by Joseph F Oeben.

This commode consists of an original finely figured, shaped and moulded Rosso levanto marble top: this is a precious variety of marble that has been quarried for many years, the Romans having used this marble particularly for floors and columns. As with this top this variety of marble typically has a blood-red background with white veins turning to purple red.

The front of the commode consisting of two large bombe shape drawers, oak lined, with a combination of both parquetry and marquetry decoration.

Each drawer has two fine quality ormolu handles, all stamped, of typical Rococo desig, the top drawer having a large escutcheon plate again of Rococo design, the bottom drawer having a smaller similar plate with a large central ormolu Rococo design mount beneath.

This leads down to four cabriole legs of bold design with Rococo ormolu mounts running from the top to the bottom of the front legs.

The side panels of serpentine and bombe form with fine quality parquetry and marquetry designs.

There is evidence of a makers mark to the top rail of the base, this is difficult to decipher but possibly looks like 'J O'. These initials could be linked to the famous German cabinet maker Joseph F Oeben (1720-1763).

Joseph Oeben moved from Germany to France and arrived in Paris in the late 1740's where he worked under Charles Boulle.

This piece does have similarities to German furniture of a similar period with the bold design and the marquetry work. If this piece is by Joseph Oeben it would have been an early piece from him as this dates from around 1740. Later in his life he worked for The Louvre and became the Royal cabinetmaker working for Madame de Pompadour as well as various French Aristocracy. Today his pieces can be seen in many museums and exclusive collections throughout the world.

This commode is a rare and sophisticated piece for the period and is bold in design, it is in excellent original condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection.

The commode was purchased from a private collection in Norfolk, England having been purchased some 35-40 years ago by the previous owner. This piece was bought along with the South German cabinet-on-stand listed on my website.

Items of this quality seldom come on to the open market.