of a concave serpentine form with a veneered alabaster top above a concave shallow drawer and two serpentine long drawers with a shaped apron on cabriole legs terminating in gilt-bronze scrolled feet, the whole decorated with peonies and sprays of flowers and birds on branches on a pale blue ground within a triple blue painted border

In good conserved condition. Colour of top slightly less orange and the lacquer is slightly darker overall and more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph.The top has old minor marks, chips and scratches especially along the rear edge and some minor restorations with areas of patching and infill. It is also slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste. There is an approx. 1 x1cm section of veneer missing from the rear left corner of the border to the top but this can easily be restored. There are minor restorations to reinforce the carcass which are visible and the inside has been reblocked.The lacquer decoration is most charming and has some minor retouching. There are some minor scratches to the left side and generally. There has been an internal restoration to the side of the bottom drawer. The top is also 18th century and the underside is peperino.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Alvar González-Palacios, Fasto Romano, dipinti, sculture, arredi dai Palazzi di Roma, Rome, 1991, p. 170, no. 105, p.108, Tav. LIX.
Hans Huth, Lacquer of the West, Chicago, 1971, pl. 141 and 142, pl. 144.

This exquisite commode with a thick veneered alabaster top on elegant elongated cabriole legs decorated in the chinoiserie style with flowers such as peonies and birds on a pale blue ground is extremely rare as few Roman commodes in this chinoiserie lacquer have survived.The commode is enriched by lavish typically Roman scrolling gilt-bronze mounts. The shape is also typically Roman with the curved front and shaped flared sides and high legs, however, it is almost exclusively associated with commodes veneered in precious woods.

The harmonious combination of pale colours and decoration with peonies on this commode are reminiscent of Chinese wallpaper, see for example, one in the Victoria and Albert Museum, made in Guangzhou, China, around 1725-1750 (E.2083-1914), reproduced here in fig 1.

In Rome, lacquer was never as popular or as widely employed as in the Northern Italian cities. It is interesting to note that it was recorded in around 1750, that several chinoiserie lacquered pieces furnished the residence in Rome of Emmanuelle Sampajo, the Portuguese ambassador, where there was recorded a`mezzo Burò con tre Tiratori suo Sportello, e Tiratorino dentro con vernice Cinese e con suoi serramenti, e maniglie d’ottone’, which was similar to the lower section of the bureau cabinet illustrated by A.G.P. op. cit., p. 170, no. 105.

A small lacquered chinoiserie commode, one of a pair, circa 1750, was owned by Principe Urbano Barbierini, see Huth, op. cit., pl. 141 and 142 and two other commodes of similar shape are in Palazzo Pallavincini, see pl. 144.The three commodes illustrated by Huth are representative of a certain type of Roman commode on high cabriole legs and where the front and sides meet, they are accentuated by columnar stiles from which the sides swing back and curve outward and the front is also bowed. The Barberini commode is in raised gold gesso on blue chinoiserie lacquer ground. The Pallavicini commodes are in light grey with gilt floral decoration and a larger commode most similar to the offered commode with chinoiserie flowers on a cream ground which was once probably white is in the Los Angeles County Museum, reproduced here in fig. 2.