Commode

Maker Joseph Schmitz (French, active ca. 1761-1782)

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Date1760-1770

Mediumoak carcase veneered with kingwood, tulipwood, boxwood, sycamore, and mother-of-pearl; gilt bronze mounts; brèche d'Alep marble top.

Dimensions35 1/4 x 64 1/2 x 28 1/4 in. (89.5 x 163.8 x 71.8 cm.)

DescriptionA commode with a serpentine front enclosing two drawers and a marble slab. The inlaid is with branches of flowers, birds, and insects in various colored woods on tulip-wood ground with king-wood borders. It is mounted with borders, handles, escutcheons and corner-mounts and is chased with compositions of scrollwork, flowers, and leafage.

SignedStamped twice on top of the front legs under the marble slab: J·SCHMITZ and JME. Paper label inside the top drawer: Louis XV inlaid commode with Caffieri mounts by J. Schmitz M.E.. Duveen label: 27869.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. The Arabella D. Huntington Memorial Art Collection.

Status

On view

Label TextJoseph Schmitz was active in Paris in the late 18th century as a cabinetmaker. This commode has the distinctive bombé shape created by the swelling front and sides. It also features intricate marquetry decoration of floral and other natural forms. Each detail was cut from a separate piece of wood and then pieced together to produce a remarkably thin and continuous surface veneer. The gilt-bronze mounts follow the delicate outlines of each marquetry section. A similar commode is displayed across the room.

Object number27.124