Decorated overall with scrolling and floral motifs, the moulded rectangular top with a central flowering vase flanked by butterflies, masks, acanthus branches and birds, inlaid with ivory flowerheads, above two short and two long drawers mounted with loose handles and mask escutcheons, the sides similarly inlaid with large flowering classical vases and lion masks, flanked by curved uprights terminating in hoof sabots
33 in. (84 cm.) high; 47 in. (120 cm.) wide; 25. 1/2 in. (65 cm.) deep

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Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square ( ¦ ) not collected from Christie’s, 8 King Street, London SW1Y 6QT by 5.00pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Crozier Park Royal (details below). Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite.If the lot is transferred to Crozier Park Royal, it will be available for collection from 12.00pm on the second business day following the sale.Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Crozier Park Royal. All collections from Crozier Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only.Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com.If the lot remains at Christie’s, 8 King Street, it will be available for collection on any working day (not weekends) from 9.00am to 5.00pm
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

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Lot Essay

As a contemporary of André-Charles Boulle producing similar marquetry pieces, Aubertin Gaudron (active circa 1670-1700) is intrinsically linked to him in the production of marquetry furniture. Both cabinet-makers inspired themselves from the rich Dutch floral designs by artists such as Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer and Nicolas Beaudesson, of which André-Charles Boulle owned many studies of flowers and birds.
An interesting description of a marquetry commode delivered by Gaudron for the Château de Compiègne relates closely to the present one, described as: ‘de bois de plusieurs couleurs fond d’ébène ornée au milieu d’un vase rempli de fleurs pose sur un bout de table et un masque grotesque au-dessous le reste rempli de rinceaux fleurs oiseaux et papillons au naturel (AN 01/3308)’.
The grotesque masks above the drawer handles can also be seen on a similar commode in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (CLUNY 11762), as well as another commode possibly by Gaudron, sold at Bonhams, London, 9 July 2015, lot 26 (£52,500 including premium).
The small ivory inlay found on the few jasmine flowers to the top surface can also be found on a commode from the Wildenstein Collection, sold at Christie's London, 14-15 December 2005, lot 115 (£84,000 including premium).
For an illustrative comparison of a Late Louis XIV floral marquetry and ebony commode with the same shape, ormolu mounts and grotesque masks, see P. Kjellberg, Le Meuble Francais et Europeen du Moyen Age a nos jours, Paris 1991, p 92.