Research:
Of harewood, boxwood and burr elm. The serpentine fronted top with projecting front corners inlaid with a pelta shield surrounded by circular ring enclosing a foliate scroll above crossed, ribbon-tied thyrsi at the center, with laurel leaf garland suspended from two ring chains on either side of the ring, the swags continuing on either side and draped around flanking crossed acanthine decorated oval shields and quivers of arrows. The top above a pair of doors, each inlaid with a band of alternating opposing palemtte and foliate s-scolls and centered by a reentrant tablet with foliate patera above a laurel leaf garland hung from suspended ring chains, with a shaped apron. The curved sides with conforming palmette band, patera and swag inlay. The interior fitted with one shelf. The whole raised on foursquare tapering legs terminating in later brass cappings and castors.
This remarkable English neoclassical commode ranks as a touchstone in the knowledge and study of period marquetry decoration. It is rare indeed to find marquetry of the eighteenth century in its virgin state; having never been stripped of its beautifully patinated surface, the marquetry has retained its perfectly intact engraved decoration, thus revealing the full artistry of its design.
The commode relates to pieces dating from the 1770s and 1780s, which have been firmly attributed to the great London cabinetmaking firm of Mayhew and Ince both in form and in the style of their marquetry decoration.
Within their diverse production, Mayhew & Ince employed a variety of materials and methods in cabinetmaking, and were “capable of working simultaneously in a number of distinct styles, in some instances in the same commission.” A common link across the varied range of forms “may be found in the firm’s innovative, highly proficient, and adventurous use of marquetry, distinguished by a wide variety of techniques and pointing to the involvement of a significant number of specialist marquetry makers.” The design of the marquetry on the present commode is notable in its having a pronounced martial theme.
Full research report available on request.