Dalva Brothers Antiques, Antique Furniture, New York

French 18th century furniture, clocks, lighting, paintings, porcelain, sculpture and tapestries

Charles X ormoulu mounted mahogany, burr amboyna and satinwood commode à vantaux.

The solid mahogany frieze drawer is positioned above a pair of cupboard doors mounted with tied fruit-filled cornucopiae in relief, opening to reveal the interior with three solid mahogany drawers. The cabinet is raised on a square plinth base. The rare original yellow marble top has fossil shell inclusions. A matching cheval mirror and a  secretaire a abattant  are also available. [Top repaired. Bronzes worn.]

The ormoulu fruit, flowers and berries filling the cornucopiae decorating this piece are virtually identical to those which surmount the celebrated cradle of the duc de Bordeaux, which was made in 1819 by Felix Rémond; the ormolu was the work of the bronziers Denière and Matelin. The bed designed by Jacob-Desmalter in 1809 for the bedroom of the Empress at Compiègne also has cornucopia overflowing with fruits and flowers of almost identical design. Several pieces by Youf share this unusual design feature. A very similar, but less elaborate Empire cabinet signed Jacob Frères rue Meslée was sold at Christie’s London on December 12, 2002 (Lot 88 for $71,293) and again on July 10, 2008 (Lot 11 for $287,450). There was also a secrétaire en suite that remained with the Empire cabinet when both pieces were in the Emilio Terry collection.,

See: Un Âge d’or des arts décoratifs 1814-1848, Exhibition Catalogue, Paris, 1991, pp.124-125, no. 34.

Ex collection:     

Isabel S. and Laurance P. Roberts, Baltimore, Maryland. The piece was acquired for the Villa Aurelia in Rome, while Mr.  Roberts was the Director of the American Academy in Rome. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Roberts was the Director of the Brooklyn Museum.