LATE 18TH CENTURY

Although japanned, the decoration of these fashionable commodes follows the well-established scheme of contemporaneous marquetry-inlaid works by late 18th century Italian cabinetmakers. Here, the Asian-inspired lacquered decoration is conceived in the same manner as the pictorial marquetry found on commodes of this time. The meandering gilt geometric pattern along the edges of the sides, tops, and drawers serves to frame the reserves in the same manner as parquetry strapwork would on a inlaid work. Interestingly, the craftsmen responsible for these commodes clearly aimed to faithfully imitate Chinese lacquer instead of creating an imaginative chinoiserie fantasy, which was often the case in Italy during the previous decades of the 1700s.

Strikingly elegant and understatedly luxurious, these commodes hail from the collection of one of the most important figures of decorating history of the 20th century, Nancy Lancaster (1897-1994). Born in Virginia, Nancy Lancaster had a huge influence on interior decoration in the 20th century, due in part to her work with John Fowler, joining the firm of Colefax & Fowler, the influential British decorating firm that codified what is known as the English country house look. Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire was her first major house in England, taken with her husband Ronald Tree for the hunting, and later Ditchley Park, where she entertained such guests as Winston Churchill, Noel Coward and David Niven. These chests resided in ‘The Gothick Room’ at Haseley Court in Oxfordshire, originally decorated as a bedroom for Lady Astor, Nancy Lancaster’s aunt (see: J. Cornforth, The Inspiration of the Past, London, 1985, p. 128). These chests and much of its contents under her stewardship were sold by Christie’s London, 28 November 1974, lot 61.