A GEORGE III MAHOGANY AND INDIAN EBONY COMMODE will be on sale at Christie's Auction on July 5 at an estimated price of $3,963,000 -$ 6,605,000.
The eared
concave-sided rectangular top with molded edge above a pair of doors with ebony
key-pattern frieze and each centered by a circular stiff-leaf bordered panel
within ebony-inlaid geometric strapwork, flanked by acanthus-headed pilasters
with paterae and husks, the central parting-bead carved with acanthus and
pendant beaded long-leaves, the interior with two mahogany-lined short drawers
with concave quarter fillets above two removable mahogany pigeon-hole sections,
each with ten compartments with pidgeon wood 'Coccoloba' frieze inlaid with
'ivorine' letters A-Z, above a further four mahogany-lined short drawers, each
with one concave quarter fillet to the outer side; in 1769, when the two
pigeon-hole sections were supplied by Chippendale, it is not apparent what they
replaced but the four lower short drawers have been converted from the original
long drawers; the sides each with conforming frieze above re-entrant panels
centered by a lacquered-brass foliate handle, each flanked by paterae and
lion-mask-headed volutes with swags and beaded stiff-leaves, the lower edge
with flower-filled entrelac above splayed key-pattern feet
carved with conforming foliage and central pendant acanthus, with
brass-castors, the lock stamped E. GASCOIGNE, later hasp, the door bolts
original, the upper one moved, concave quarter fillets, chamfered drawer-stops,
short grain kickers, the deal panelled back with red wash and then black wash 35
in. (89 cm.) high; 62 ½ in. (158.5 cm.) wide; 23 in. (58.5 cm.) deep.