A George II Walnut Serpentine Front Commode
Height: 34 ¼" 87cm
Width: 43 ¼" 110cm
Depth: 26" 66cm
The white marble top above four long graduated drawers, inlaid throughout with feather banding and of excellent colour and patination.
This commode is distinguished by the use of a marble top, rarely seen applied to English furniture of the mid-18th century, and also its walnut veneers as opposed to the more typical choice of mahogany, favoured by cabinet-makers of the period.
English, Circa 1755
ATTRIBUTION
It would be exceptional to find a positive attribution for such an unusual piece from this period. However, we have found three comparisons that are worth making. The handles closely relate to examples found on a bookcase supplied by Chippendale for Dumfries House (see Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Works of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, 2 vols., vol. II, figs. 63 and 264).
The carved shell motif flanked by acanthus scrolls to the centre of the apron here, is mirrored on a library armchair attributed to Paul Saunders, sold Sotheby's London, 18 November 2008, lot 328.
The carving to the apron of the present commode has affinities with that on a George III fustic and padouk kneehole desk, now tentatively attributed to Wright and Elwick (see Christie's Wentworth Woodhouse, 8 July 1998, p. 112)
 "A George II Walnut Serpentine Front Commode")