Charles Topino, maître in 1773

With its striking satiné veneers, shaped form and ormolu mounts this commode relates to another stamped by Topino and illustrated P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1989, p. 844, fig. Another related commode of a larger size, which was exhibited in 'Grands Ebénistes et Menuisiers Parisiens du XVIIIe siècle', Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, December 1955 - February 1956, lot 321 and then sold, Collection Georges Heine; Ader Picard Tajan, Paris, 23 March 1971, lot 105. A further related commode by Topino, although of larger proportion, is illustrated in J. Nicolay, L'Art et la Manière des Maîtres Ebénistes au XVIIIe Siècle, Paris, 1956, fig. AH.

Charles Topino (d. 1803), of the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine specialised in light, delicate furniture often enriched with marquetry panels of flowers or 'naif' still-lifes. His characteristic bronzes dorés were cast by Viret, chased by Chamboin and Dubuisson and gilded by Bicard, Gerard and Vallet. His principal customers were marchands-merciers and fellow ébénistes including Dautriche, Denizot, Guillaume and Héricourt (G. de Bellaigue, The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor: Furniture, Clocks and Gilt Bronzes, London, 1974, II, p. 880-882).