A Louis XVI style gilt-metal mounted marquetry and parquetry commode, late 19th century, after the model by J.H. Riesener

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Adam's, Dublin, 23 March 1992, lot 361.

The design of the present lot is based on the celebrated commode created by Jean-Henri Riesener in 1778 for the private rooms of Louis XVI at the Château de Fontainebleau and later transported to Versailles to furnish the king’s library. It is sometimes known as the “Commode du Concordat” or the “Treaty Commode” as it was in Pope Pius VII’s room at Fontainebleau during his visit in the early 19th century. It encapsulates Riesener’s style, with its distinctive rosette marquetry pattern, fine quality mounts, tripartite breakfront and central trapezoidal panel depicting a lavish still-life in marquetry.

As with the models by Benneman and Weisweiler that were, or had been part of the French Royal collections, this model by Riesener was a source of inspiration for the best cabinet-makers of the second half of the 19^th century, such as Linke, Dasson, or Sormani, who would sometimes produce exact replicas of these pieces.