Commode thumbnail 1
Commode thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Commode

ca. 1775 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This elegant small commode was made by the Parisian cabinet-maker Pierre Denizot, who stamped his mark on the back and top of the carcase three times. Pierre Denizot was the son of the cabinet-maker Jacques Denizot, and he worked for his father for many years. Although he gained his maîtrise or mastership in the guild in 1740, it was not until 1760 that he registered his mark and could sell furniture under his own name. The neat trellised marquetry that decorates this piece is typical of the fine work that he produced. Small-scale, geometric patterns were a feature of the neo-classical style, which developed from the 1760s. Denizot's most famous client was the Comte d'Artois, the brother of the king of France. D'Artois was a great enthusiast for all things neo-classical and is best known for having organised the building of a small neo-classical chateau (Bagatelle) for himself within two months, as the result of bet with his sister-in-law, Marie Antoinette.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Key
  • Marble Slab
  • Commode
  • Chest of Drawers
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
Materials and techniques
Veneered with sycamore, <i>bois satiné</i> and boxwood on a carcase of oak; mounts of gilt bronze and slab of Bardiglio marble
Brief description
A small two-drawered commode or chest of drawers, on tall, square-sectioned legs, the whole decorated with panels of trellis marquetry in several woods, on an oak carcase; mounts of gilt bronze; slab of Bardiglio marble (possibly replaced); designed and made by Pierre Denizot, Paris, ca. 1775.
Physical description
A small, two-drawered commode or chest of drawers on tall legs, in neo-classical style, with tall, square-sectioned, tapering legs, the front veneered sans traverse with a panel of curvilinear trellised marquetry, the sides similarly veneered. The marquetry is of sycamore, bois satiné and boxwood on a carcase of oak. The commode is set with gilt-bronze mounts and carries a slab of Bardiglio marble
Dimensions
  • With marble slab in place height: 98cm
  • Over marble width: 90cm
  • Over marble depth: 46.5cm
  • Of marble slab thickness: 3-3.5cm
Taken from Carolyn Sargentson's notes for catalogue and checked by her on furniture
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'PIERRE DENIZOT' (Stamped twice on back left corner of the top, below the marble. Also on the back close to the left (PR) top corner.)
  • 'JME' (Stamped on the back, behind top right (PL) corner)
Credit line
Bequeathed by John Jones
Object history
In the collection of John Jones before 1882.

An upright desk or secrétaire à abattant, also stamped by Denizot, and with the same design of trellis marquetry, was sold at Sotheby's, Monaco, 11 December 1999, lot 110. The pattern was also used by other cabinet-makers, including Roger Vandercruse, Cramer and Pierre Roussel (who was also known to buy in pieces from other makers).
Subject depicted
Summary
This elegant small commode was made by the Parisian cabinet-maker Pierre Denizot, who stamped his mark on the back and top of the carcase three times. Pierre Denizot was the son of the cabinet-maker Jacques Denizot, and he worked for his father for many years. Although he gained his maîtrise or mastership in the guild in 1740, it was not until 1760 that he registered his mark and could sell furniture under his own name. The neat trellised marquetry that decorates this piece is typical of the fine work that he produced. Small-scale, geometric patterns were a feature of the neo-classical style, which developed from the 1760s. Denizot's most famous client was the Comte d'Artois, the brother of the king of France. D'Artois was a great enthusiast for all things neo-classical and is best known for having organised the building of a small neo-classical chateau (Bagatelle) for himself within two months, as the result of bet with his sister-in-law, Marie Antoinette.
Collection
Accession number
1101:1to:5-1882

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Record createdNovember 11, 1999
Record URL
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