Commode

Attributed to John Mayhew British
 Attributed to William Ince British

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 514

This commode is attributed to William Ince and John Mayhew, who jointly ran one of the most successful cabinetmaking firms in eighteenth-century London. Ince offered design expertise, while Mayhew managed business affairs; the pair also worked closely with carvers, gilders, and other specialists across their workshops.


Ince and Mayhew were renowned for their innovative use of marquetry—a technique in which pieces of wood are veneered or inlaid into furniture to form designs. Commodes decorated with a single large marquetry panel on the front are rare in English furniture of this period. Access to the interior is gained not by this panel, but by two doors at the sides, each of which conceals four mahogany drawers.


The mounts and moldings of this commode, including the stylized rams, have been attributed to Matthew Boulton, celebrated for his work in gilt bronze.

Commode, Attributed to John Mayhew (British, 1736–1811), Pine carcase, veneered with satinwood, kingwood, holly, rosewood and other woods; gilt-bronze mounts; Siena marble slab, British

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Commode, Attributed to John Mayhew (British, 1736–1811), Pine carcase, veneered with satinwood, kingwood, holly, rosewood and other woods; gilt-bronze mounts; Siena marble slab, British
Commode, Attributed to John Mayhew (British, 1736–1811), Pine carcase, veneered with satinwood, kingwood, holly, rosewood and other woods; gilt-bronze mounts; Siena marble slab, British
Commode, Attributed to John Mayhew (British, 1736–1811), Pine carcase, veneered with satinwood, kingwood, holly, rosewood and other woods; gilt-bronze mounts; Siena marble slab, British
Commode, Attributed to John Mayhew (British, 1736–1811), Pine carcase, veneered with satinwood, kingwood, holly, rosewood and other woods; gilt-bronze mounts; Siena marble slab, British
Commode, Attributed to John Mayhew (British, 1736–1811), Pine carcase, veneered with satinwood, kingwood, holly, rosewood and other woods; gilt-bronze mounts; Siena marble slab, British

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