Attributed to Claude-Charles Saunier (French 1735-1807) Louis XVI Mahogany and Gilt-Bronze Mounted Commode, Circa 1785

Rectangular tan-colored marble or granite top above two frieze drawers and two long drawers finely mounted with gilt-bronze inlay, including diamond-patterned ornament, rosette and beaded mounts, and fluted corner stiles; raised on tapered legs ending in gilt-bronze sabots. The reverse bearing a chalk inscription A D Room. A refined example of late 18th-century Parisian cabinetry, consistent with the elegant neoclassical forms, mahogany veneers, and high-quality ormolu mounts associated with Sauniers workshop and with furniture produced for leading marchands-merciers such as Dominique Daguerre

Height 34 inches (86.5 cm.), width 45 inches (114.5 cm.), depth 22 inches (56 cm.)

Provenance:
Property from a Private Collection Designed by Cullman & Kravis, Inc.
Sothebys, New York, Property from the Collection of Anthony (Tony) Ingrao,New York interior designer and founder of Ingrao Inc., Sale 8240, October 20, 2006, Lot 117 ($114,000) receipt available
Almost certainly acquired by John Alexander, 4th Marquess of Bath (18311896) for Longleat, Wiltshire; thence by descent until sold Christies, London, June 13, 2002, Lot 391 (71,700).

Literature:
Recorded in the Longleat inventories as follows:
1869 Inventory, Dowagers Sitting Room: A Louis XVI mahogany commode with 4 drawers mounted with ormolu and white marble slab.
1896 Heirloom Inventory, Dowagers Rooms: A 3 ft. 9 in. mahogany Empire commode chest of two long and two short drawers with column corners, gilt ormolu mounts and white marble top.

Catalogue Note:
The commode formed part of a larger suite of Louis XVI furniture at Longleat, including a console desserte and pairs of encoignures, comparable works by Claude-Charles Saunier were supplied to major British collections, notably the Spencer family at Althorp circa 1790, through the marchand-mercier Dominique Daguerre, Sauniers production is characterized by classical silhouettes, high-quality mahogany, and refined gilt-bronze mountsfeatures present in the current example, suggesting it originated as a specific commission for an important client Presents well overall in very good condition, replaced marble/granite top, all legs restored no replacements, minor inlay lifting to case
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