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A very fine Louis XV Transitional Louis XVI gilt bronze mounted amaranth, sycamore, bois satiné, yew and boxwood marquetry commode attributed to André-Louis Gilbert, the moulded breakfronted rectangular marble top above two long drawers centred by a gilt framed rectangular marquetry panel portraying a classical rotunda with a figure in a hilly tree lined landscape, the central panel flanked by two half panels depicting a view of a fortified town with trees and hills, divided by chamfered borders enclosing a pair of gilt laurel wreath medallions with female mask heads above and below an inlaid spandrel, the sides with further framed marquetry panels showing architectural views, the front with a shaped apron with a stylized acanthus mount, the canted corners headed by fluted swagged angle mounts above cabriole legs terminated by foliate sabots
Paris, date circa 1775
Height 87 cm, length 131 cm, depth 58 cm.
Literature: Pierre Kjellberg, “Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle”, 1998, p. 359, pls. C and D, illustrating two similar Transitional commodes with marquetry panels by André-Louis Gilbert.
Although this handsome commode does not have a maker’s stamp it can be attributed to André-Louis Gilbert (1746-1809) on the grounds of its fine marquetry which accords with Gilbert’s style as well as the fact that it closely compares to other Transitional commodes by this maker. As here Gilbert’s furniture tended to be of a simple form and was decorated with rectangular panels depicting minutely detailed images showing architectural and topographical scenes in the manner of Hubert Robert, which were often interspersed amongst hilly landscapes and trees. At times Gilbert also highlighted small areas of the marquetry decoration such as a window with mother of pearl or ivory. He probably made the marquetry panels without having a specific commission in mind and then assembled the varying sized pieces according to the type of furniture he made, which included tables, commodes, encoignures and secrétaires.
Since similar panels have appeared on furniture bearing the stamp of some his contemporaries, such as Léonard Boudin, Jacques Birklé, Pierre Roussel and Jacques Dautriche, it is very likely that Gilbert supplied marquetry work to these makers. They would then have included his marquetry within their piece of furniture and finalised the production by adding their own stamp.
Gilbert learned his craft as an apprentice to Louis-Noël Malle (1743-82) who was in the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and was one of the leading Parisian marquetry makers of his day. After completing his apprenticeship Gilbert was received as maître ébéniste in July 1774. First established at rue Traversière, in 1785 he moved back to the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, where he had first learned his trade under Malle. He continued to be active until 1789 when he was involved in the storming of the Bastille and then took part in the Revolution.
His early work followed the Louis XV style expressed for instance in a table de salon that included small architectural and landscape marquetry panels (illustrated in Kjellberg, op. cit., p. 357). His style then gave way to the Transitional style, as we see here, and then finally reflected the full Louis XVI style. Works belonging to the later included a gilt bronze mounted demi-lune commode decorated with marquetry panels with ivory inlays depicting architectural ruins, illustrated in Alexandre Pradère “French Furniture Makers”, 1989, p. 323.
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