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A German Rococo carved, polychrome-painted and parcel-gilt commode, attributed to Johann Michael Hoppenhaupt II, Berlin, circa 1750
Estimate
50,000 - 100,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- beechwood, marble
- height 34 3/4 in.; width 58 in.; depth 28 in.
- 88.5 cm; 147.5 cm; 71 cm
Provenance
Albrecht Neuhaus, Würzburg;
Property of a German Private Collector, Christie's London, July 5, 2001, lot 188 (GBP 91,750);
Property of a Gentleman, Christie's London, July 5, 2007, lot 164 (GBP 66,000)
Property of a German Private Collector, Christie's London, July 5, 2001, lot 188 (GBP 91,750);
Property of a Gentleman, Christie's London, July 5, 2007, lot 164 (GBP 66,000)
Condition
Rare and wonderfully proportioned piece. Marble with a restored break to right side and small chips and abrsions to edges. Drawer bottoms replaced. A restored crack to the upper surround of the top drawer. Decoration refreshed; now with some losses and wear. Small restorations to carving. Some minor old wood worm damage.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
This rare and unusual commode is attributed to one of the great German cabinetmakers of the 18th century: Johann Michael Hoppenhaupt II (1709-1778/9). Hoppenhaupt is best known for designing Rococo interiors for Frederick the Great at the Berlin Stadtschloss, Schloss Charlottenburg, and Schloss Sanssouci. Hoppenhaupt was born in Merseburg in Saxony, trained in Dresden and Vienna, and arrived in Berlin upon Frederick the Great's accession to the Prussian throne in 1740. In 1746, Hoppenhaupt replaced the court sculptor Johann August Nahl (d.1781) as Directeur des Ornements for Frederick the Great. Nahl was a great influence on Hoppenhaupt's mature robust Rococo style, as exemplified in the present lot.
This commode relates to a group of designs published by Hoppenhaupt around 1753, many of which can be related to actual pieces produced for Potsdam, including the great gilt-gesso commode in the King's Bedchamber at Sanssouci which shares the same distinctive incurved legs (see H. Kreisel, G. Himmelheber, Die Kunst des deutschen Mobels, Munich, 1970, figs.731-4, 739-42). A design of c.1753 for an elaborate commode with dressing mirror features the same scrolled corners and bombé form. Hoppenhaupt's work exerted an enormous influence on the mature German rococo style in furniture, and designs for comparable three-drawer bombé ༺c🍸ommodes were published by the engraver Franz Xaver Habermann Augsburg in c.1750/60.