Commode

ca. 1760

Not on view

Genty, who worked as a cabinetmaker and as a furniture dealer, foreshadowed in his marquetry decoration the scrolling outline and placement of the Rococo-style mounts. The mounts protected the corners, feet, and keyhole; gave access to the drawers by means of handles; emphasized the serpentine shape of the commode; and added a sculptural element to the piece. Here, half the mounts have been removed to illustrate their importance. Displayed from the back, the separate corner mount shows that only the front side was gilded. The incised mark III matches that on the stile of the commode, indicating that this particular mount was intended for the front right corner.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Commode
Maker: Denis Genty (master ébéniste 1754–ca. 1762)
Date: ca. 1760
Culture: French, Paris
Medium: Oak veneered with amaranth, bois satiné, boxwood, and various stained woods; gilt bronze; rouge royal marble
Dimensions: Overall: 34 3/4 × 57 3/8 × 26 3/8 in. (88.3 × 145.7 × 67 cm)
Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
Credit Line: Bequest of Ruth Mabee Lachman, 1990
Object Number: 1990.268.1a, b
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

From the same time and place

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Commode (Secrétaire à abattant), Jean Henri Riesener French, Oak veneered with ebony and 17th-century Japanese lacquer; interiors veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, and ebonized holly; gilt-bronze mounts; marble top; velvet (not original), French, Paris — Commode (Secrétaire à abattant)
Jean Henri Riesener
1783

Commode (commode à vantaux) (part of a set), Adam Weisweiler French, Oak veneered with ebony, amaranth, holly, ebonized holly, satinwood, Japanese and French lacquer panels; gilt-bronze mounts, brocatelle marble top (not original); steel springs; morocco leather (not original), French, Paris — Commode (commode à vantaux) (part of a set)
Adam Weisweiler
ca. 1790

Drop-front secretary (Secrétaire en armoire), Jean Henri Riesener French, Oak veneered with ebony and 17th-century Japanese lacquer; interiors veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, and ebonized holly; gilt-bronze mounts; marble top; velvet (not original), French, Paris — Drop-front secretary (Secrétaire en armoire)
Jean Henri Riesener
1783

Writing table (bureau plat), Gilles Joubert French, Lacquered oak, gilt-bronze mounts, lined with modern leather, French, Paris — Writing table (bureau plat)
Gilles Joubert
1759

Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet), Martin Carlin French, Oak veneered with tulipwood, amaranth, holly, and sycamore; six Sèvres soft-paste porcelain plaques and two painted tin plaques; gilt-bronze mounts; marble shelves; moiré silk, French, Paris and Sèvres — Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet)
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1776

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