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

Commode

ca.1765 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Commode of breakfront, serpentine form, with a wide breakfront section with three drawers, flanked by narrower sections, each also with three drawers, the whole raised on tall legs, veneered in mahogany on an oak carcase, and set with gilt-brass mounts and elaborate drawer handles, and with carrying handles on either side. The front and sides are serpentine in plan and veneered with mahogany carefully chosen for its figure. The side panels show wide framing panels of cross-banding in mahogany. Tjhe drawers are edged with a mahogany cock beading. The top of the commode shows a moulded edge and is veneered with a plain panel of mahogany. A shallow apron panel below the central drawer is set with a gilt-brass mount cast as palms flanking a central shell and C-scroll. At the front corners, there are apparently continuous gilt-brass mounts that are cast in five sections, with a narrow moulding set above a double-leafed scrolling foot mount, with two sections of upward facing acanthus scrolls, flanking a central, studded section, above. One each side a small sprig of roses and rose leaves runs from the corner mount over the spandrel of the legs, below the lowest, outer drawers. The back legs show no mounts. The handles of the drawers are cast wtih foliage and fixed handles composed of C-scrolls, those on the central drawers pierced at the top for the keyholes, those on the side drawers left blind, as these drawers do not lock. The sides are set with large bail handles, between back-plates in the form of lion masks.



Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 11 parts.

  • Key
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Commode
Materials and techniques
Mahogany, veneered on a carcase of oak and pine, with gilt-brass mounts
Brief description
Commode of breakfront, serpentine form, with a wide breakfront section with three drawers, flanked by narrower sections, each also with three drawers, the whole raised on tall legs, veneered in mahogany, and set with gilt-brass mounts and elaborate drawer handles, and with carrying handles on either side.
Physical description
Commode of breakfront, serpentine form, with a wide breakfront section with three drawers, flanked by narrower sections, each also with three drawers, the whole raised on tall legs, veneered in mahogany on an oak carcase, and set with gilt-brass mounts and elaborate drawer handles, and with carrying handles on either side. The front and sides are serpentine in plan and veneered with mahogany carefully chosen for its figure. The side panels show wide framing panels of cross-banding in mahogany. Tjhe drawers are edged with a mahogany cock beading. The top of the commode shows a moulded edge and is veneered with a plain panel of mahogany. A shallow apron panel below the central drawer is set with a gilt-brass mount cast as palms flanking a central shell and C-scroll. At the front corners, there are apparently continuous gilt-brass mounts that are cast in five sections, with a narrow moulding set above a double-leafed scrolling foot mount, with two sections of upward facing acanthus scrolls, flanking a central, studded section, above. One each side a small sprig of roses and rose leaves runs from the corner mount over the spandrel of the legs, below the lowest, outer drawers. The back legs show no mounts. The handles of the drawers are cast wtih foliage and fixed handles composed of C-scrolls, those on the central drawers pierced at the top for the keyholes, those on the side drawers left blind, as these drawers do not lock. The sides are set with large bail handles, between back-plates in the form of lion masks.

Dimensions
  • Height: 86.3cm
  • Width: 129.5cm
  • Depth: 53.3cm
Dimensions taken from departmental files.
Style
Gallery label
  • Commode Britain; about 1765 Mahogany on a carcase of oak and pine; gilt-bronze mounts This commode (chest of drawers or low cupboard) has the curved outline fashionable in the middle years of the 18th century. Thomas Chippendale (1718-89[sic]) described this type as a 'French Commode Table' in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director (3rd ed., 1762), emphasizing the French origin of the form. Given by the Brigadier Clark Bequest through the National Art Collections Fund. Museum No. W.3-1962
  • CHEST OF DRAWERS ENGLISH; about 1765 Mahogany Given by Brigadier W.E. Clark, CMG, DSO, through the National Art-Collections Fund Museum No. W.3-1962(1972)
Credit line
Given by Brigadier W. E. Clark CMG, DSO through Art Fund
Object history
Given by Brigadier W.E. Clark CMG, DSO, DL, through the Art Fund (Registered File 62/541).
Collection
Accession number
W.3:1 to11-1962

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Record createdSeptember 6, 2006
Record URL
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