A pair of Italian fruitwood and marquetry comodini, circa 1770

The design for small commodes each with a retractable kneeler (to serve as a prieu dieu) is said to commonly originate from Rome between the rococo and neo-classical period. The present are not only quite rare as they survived as a pair, but they also derive from the earlier Roman rococo, elaborately-carved, lacquered or gilded examples. Indeed, these comodini adopt elegant lines and let shine the beauty of fruitwoods and of its jasper tops.

Sometimes called a 'comodino con alzata' or 'comodino con inginocchiatoio e alzata' , these furniture pieces essentially consist of a small commode with drawers destined for a bedroom with the kneeler often covered in the same textile as that used to decorate the room. They were carved with different carved motifs, in various materials-from lacquer to inlay. More sophisticated examples had a rising section revealing a devotional niche. Lacquered and parcel-gilt examples include a pair sold at Replica Shoes 's, London, 8 December 2015, lot 76 and another sold at Replica Shoes 's, London, 9 June 2015, lot 106. Two marquetry examples are each illustrated in Alvar González-Palacios, Fasto Romano, Rome, 1991, cat. 123-124.