Thomas Moore
Head of Department
Lot 76TP
A Louis XV ormolu mounted kingwood and tulipwood bombe serpentine commode by Louis Noel Malle (1734-1782) probably partially re-mounted
Amended
5 April 2017, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£8,000 - £12,000
Looking for a similar item?
Our Home and Interiors specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
A Louis XV ormolu mounted kingwood and tulipwood bombe serpentine commode by Louis Noel Malle (1734-1782)
probably partially re-mounted
The rouge griotte marble top above two short drawers each inlaid with a quarter veneered tablet flanking a small central drawer with a secret peg lock to one side, over two long drawers, each inlaid with two quarter veneered tablets flanking a central line-inlaid tablet, the angles headed with classical female espagnolettes, with a a shaped apron, on splayed square section legs, stamped: 'L.N. MALLE'. 139cm wide x 67cm deep x 89cm high, (54 1/2in wide x 26in deep x 35in high)
The rouge griotte marble top above two short drawers each inlaid with a quarter veneered tablet flanking a small central drawer with a secret peg lock to one side, over two long drawers, each inlaid with two quarter veneered tablets flanking a central line-inlaid tablet, the angles headed with classical female espagnolettes, with a a shaped apron, on splayed square section legs, stamped: 'L.N. MALLE'. 139cm wide x 67cm deep x 89cm high, (54 1/2in wide x 26in deep x 35in high)
Footnotes
Louis Noel Malle, maitre 18 November 1765.
During the mid-18th century L.N. Malle established his firm, like many of the foremost French cabinet makers of the 18th and 19th centuries, on the Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine in Paris. From this most fashionable address, Malle ran a prestigious furniture workshop and business, while his wife occupied herself with the running of their ensuite furniture store.
Some mid-18th century bombe commodes, essentially in a rather late Regence style, are recorded among an assorted group of recognised Malle pieces, while a comparable model to the present lot is illustrated in P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Francais du XVIIIeme Siecle, 1989, Paris, p. 546. Later on, a 1772 publication of L'Almanach General des Marchands (The Merchant's Almanac) notes that Malle was by that time renwoned for producing:
'.. des ouvrages de rapport avec l'ebene, l'olivier et les autres bois de couleur, ainsi que l'ecaille et la nacre.' ('..notable pieces of furniture inlaid with ebony, olivewood and other colourful woods, as well as various types of shell and mother-of-pearl.')
In fact, documented Malle marquetry furniture is just as likely to incorporate ivory within elaborate inlaid scenes depicting ruinous classical landscapes, towns and rivers. During the Transitional or late Louis XV period, Malle was also widely known for his use of finely executed cube parquetry, however there are also some examples of Malle commodes which have prominent central shaped cartouches inlaid with flowers and encompassed by cube-inlaid grounds. Following his death in 1782, Malle's wife kept the business going until the French Revolution started in 1789.
Literature
P. Kjellberg, Le Mobilier Francais du XVIIIeme Siecle, 1989, Paris.
Saleroom notices
Please note that following recent removal and inspection, all of the mounts on the present lot appear to be original but have evidently been re-gilded.
