BY ETIENNE DOIRAT, CIRCA 1730, PROBABLY POSTHUMOUSLY MOUNTED BY LOUIS SIMON PAINSUN

Name: A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED KINGWOOD PARQUETRY COMMODE
Brand: BY ETIENNE DOIRAT, CIRCA 1730, PROBABLY POSTHUMOUSLY MOUNTED BY LOUIS SIMON PAINSUN
Price: 9500.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised GBP 11,875

Estimate

GBP 10,000 - GBP 20,000

Closed: 15 Oct 2020

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A LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED KINGWOOD PARQUETRY COMMODE

BY ETIENNE DOIRAT, CIRCA 1730, PROBABLY POSTHUMOUSLY MOUNTED BY LOUIS SIMON PAINSUN

Price Realised GBP 11,875

Closed: 15 Oct 2020

Price Realised GBP 11,875

Closed: 15 Oct 2020

Details Lot Essay Related Articles More from

The rouge de France marble top above two long drawers, decorated overall with geometric parquetry, stamped four times 'E DOIRAT'
33¹⁄₄ in. (84 cm.) high; 48¹⁄₂ in. (123 cm.) wide; 23¹⁄₂ in. (59 cm.) deep

Acquired by Giuseppe Rossi in 1968.

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Lot Essay

Etienne Doirat (1675-1732) was one of the most important and talented of the Régence period. He is recorded in the Grand-Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine at the time of his marriage in 1704. In 1726 he set up his workshop in the Cour de la Contrescarpe des Fossées de la Bastille, and in 1731 leased a store in the fashionable rue Saint-Honoré, one of Paris' foremost addresses for luxury retailers.

On Doirat’s death in 1732 his son-in-law, Louis-Simon Painsun, took over the responsibility for the business and stock. The mounts to the present commode appear slightly later than 1732, so it is most likely that the basic commode was in production/already produced at the time of Doirat's death and was probably subsequently mounted in the more fashionable manner seen here by Painsun. Interestingly, it appears from plugged holes to the inside of the drawers that the commode was originally intended to have the earlier form of centrally mounted pull-handle, although the lack marking to the veneers suggests that these were abandoned in favour of the present design of handle during production.

A related commode of slightly earlier date and of more elaborate design but decorated with closely related hatched-parquetry ground and with related mask-mounted angles attributed to Etienne Doirat, probably retailed by Pierre Migeon (stamped 'Migeon') was sold Christie's, 6 July 2016, lot 51 (£122,500). It is interesting to note that Painsun's stamp ‘L.S.P.’ appears side by side with Migeon’s stamp on some pieces, which indicates that Painsun must have supplied furniture to Migeon, including pieces from his father-in-law’s stock, raising another possibility for the posthumous mounting of the present commode.

This lot incorporates material from endangered species which could result in export restrictions. Several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, please check the relevant customs laws before bidding on this lotif you intend to import this lot into another country. Please see the Conditions of Sale for further information.

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Condition report

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

This commode is in generally good overall condition.
The marble top is probably contemporary with work-marks to the underside, the rear edge has been repaired and trimmed and the whole has been cleaned and refinished, now with a slightly dull surface.

As described in the cataloguing text/note, this commode was probably mounted after Doirat's death in 1732 by his son-in-law, Painsun, who took over his workshop and existing stock. There are patched holes to the inside of the drawers, suggesting that other, earlier form, pull-handles were originally planned. It is likely that these had not been installed to the incomplete commode at the time of Doirat's death in 1732, these marks do not transmit to the veneers, suggesting that the change of plan happened prior to the completion of the veneering process; this commode mayy only have been partially complete at the time of Doirat's death. There are further plugged holes to the inside of the drawer fronts, but these could not relate to any mounting scheme and most probably relate to an earlier planned use for the shaped timbers in the workshop before this commode was begun.

With minor chips and losses as well as likely minor repairs and replacements to the veneers throughout.
The ormolu-mounts are bright, they have been cleaned and possibly regilt.
Slight shrinkage cracking throughout, including but not limited to a horizontal crack to the upper part of the left end panel.
Traces of apparently inactive woodworm and minor old repairs to the structural timbers.
The whole has been cleaned and repolished at some time and the present finish is rich.
Overall minor knocks, chips, scratches and wear consistent with age and use.
In generally good decorative and structural condition and ready to use.

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