A Louis XV Gilt Bronze, Marble-Mounted, and Japanned Lacquer Commode, circa 1750. Stamped: M. CRIAERD for Mathieu Criaer...

Description

A Louis XV Gilt Bronze, Marble-Mounted, and Japanned Lacquer Commode, circa 1750
Stamped: M. CRIAERD for Mathieu Criaerd (1689-1776), maître in July 29, 1738
33-1/2 x 50-1/2 x 23 inches (85.1 x 128.3 x 58.4 cm)

The C-couronné poinçon was a tax mark applied to copper alloys from February 1745 to March 1749.
This commode exemplifies Mathieu Criaerd's artistry at its peak, during a period in which he delivered several masterpieces to the French Royal family through the renowned marchand-mercier, Thomas-Joachim Hébert. The commode's refined, mounts are characteristic of Louis XV lacquered furniture, with an openwork design in the chutes and sabots that prevents heaviness and enhances its elegance. The unusual and rare lacquer work aligns it with an important example also by Criaerd sold Christie's, London The Exceptional Sale, July 7, 2022, lot 20.

Comparable Commodes by Criaerd

One of Criaerd's most recognized lacquered commodes is the blue and white vernis piece adorned with silvered bronze fittings, crafted for Madame de Mailly, King Louis XV's mistress, for her room at the Château of Choisy in 1742. This commode, currently housed in the Louvre, was delivered by Hébert (see Nouvelles acquisitions du département des Objets d'art, 1995, No. 47; Alcouffe et al., No. 43). Its frame mounts closely resemble those on the current commode, though the keyhole escutcheons, chutes, and sabots differ in style. In comparison, all main mounts on the current commode also appear on a slightly narrower version by Criaerd, featuring kingwood and satinwood veneers, delivered by Hébert to the Dauphin at Versailles in 1748 (D. Meyer, Le Mobilier de Versailles, Vol. I, 2002, No. 11). Furthermore, Criaerd's lacquer commodes frequently showcase these mounts with subtle variations. Examples include one sold at Sotheby's Monaco on June 22, 1987 (Lot 544) (A. Pradère, Les Ébénistes Français de Louis XIV à la Révolution, 1989, fig. 221), and another housed in the Crog-Carven Collection at the Louvre (see Cinq années d'enrichissement du Patrimoine national, 1980-1981, No. 77; Alcouffe et al., No. 46). Other comparable illustrations can be found in Th. Wolvesperges' Le Meuble Français en Laque au XVIIIe siècle (2000, pp. 299-300, figs. 8, 26, and 166). While certain mounts were utilized by other furniture makers like Jacques Dubois, Adrien Faizelot Delorme, and Pierre Roussel, some may have been exclusive to Criaerd, potentially supplied by Hébert for a specific series for the marchand-mercier.

The current commode stands out due to its unique front panel, adorned with vibrant Chinese lacquer in polychrome, initially designed for vertical display. The horizontally positioned lacquer, with large peony branches over a rocky base, creates a pattern reminiscent of a bold textile. Criaerd often chose lacquer panels with large floral designs, similar to those on a commode and corner cupboard auctioned at Hugo Helbing, Frankfurt am Main, June 23, 1936, Lots 242 and 244.



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