BY BERNARD MOLITOR, CIRCA 1800

Name: A CONSULAT ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY COMMODE
Brand: BY BERNARD MOLITOR, CIRCA 1800
Price: 16000.00 USD
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised USD 20,000

Estimate

USD 20,000 - USD 30,000

Closed: 1 Jul 2021

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A CONSULAT ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY COMMODE

BY BERNARD MOLITOR, CIRCA 1800

Price Realised USD 20,000

Closed: 1 Jul 2021

Price Realised USD 20,000

Closed: 1 Jul 2021

Details Lot Essay Related Articles More from

The rectangular white marble top over a slim frieze drawer and four larger drawers flanked by pilasters supported on a plinth base, stamped B. MOLITOR, inscribed 'Lady Pearson 1 Empire Commode' to the underside of the marble top

39¹⁄₂ in. (100.5 cm.) high, 57 in. (145 cm.) wide, 22 in. (56 cm.) deep
Bernard Molitor, maître in 1787.

Possibly in the collection of Viscountess Cowdray, Dunecht House, Scotland.
Acquired from Bernard Steinitz, Paris, October 2008.

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Lot Essay

Active from the until circa 1818, Bernard Molitor was one of the last to work for the monarchy in France. His furniture was characterized by the use of mahogany veneers embellished with finely cast gilt-bronze mounts. His neo-classical furniture was adorned with classically-inspired motifs before gradually introducing ornaments and shapes of the then fashionable Empire style, often inspired by contemporary events such as Napoleon's campaign in Egypt.

The present lot is very closely related to a chiffonier stamped by Bernard Molitor in a private collection. Particularly similar are the mounts on the outer uprights depicting women with arabesque-style ornament. The whimsical design of the pulls is also seen on other commodes of the period. Christie’s would like to thank Ulrich Leben, Associate Curator Waddesdon Manor, The Rothschild Collection and specialist in the work of Bernard Molitor, for kindly providing this information.

It is possible this commode was once in the collection of Annie Pearson, Viscountess Cowdray. She was a celebrated English philanthropist, suffragist and society hostess. Her generous donations to the Royal College of Nursing earned her the nickname ‘Fairy Godmother.’ She lived in Dunecht House in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which dates back to the 1700’s. The existing structure was erected in 1820 with a prominent Italianate influence, and is preserved by the Scottish Government.