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Lot Essay
This richly mounted and finely inlaid commode relates to the work of Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814), one of the most renowned Italian cabinet-makers of the late 18th century. His extensive commissions for the Milanese court and the North Italian aristocracy included the Palazzo Ducale in Milan, the Villa Reale in Monza and the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua. He also worked extensively for the Austrian Governor General of Milan, Archduke Ferdinand, to whom he also supplied furniture destined for Stanislas Poniatowski and for Elizabeth of Russia.
Maggiolini developed an instantly recognizable style which combined strong architectural forms with finely detailed floral and Classical inlay. Although the use of mounts is rare in Maggiolini’s oeuvre, those on the present commode relate to his documented work. A pair of commodes share closely related swagged ovals (G. Beretti, Giuseppe Maggiolini, Milan, 1994, pp.172-177) and a drawing of a musical trophy inscribed Albertoli in the Maggiolini workshop archives ( op cit, p. 27) was clearly used as the inspiration for those seen on each side of the central oval. The use of gilt copper instead of ormolu for the mounts themselves is distinctive and provides a further link with Maggiolini as it appears on a table sold anonymously at Sotheby's, London, 14 June 1996, lot 67.
As with the present commode, Maggiolini utilized distinct constructional elements, including the shallow frieze drawer, the paneled and sliding fronts that conceal long walnut-lined drawers, as well as the turned tapering and fluted legs. However, these features, as well as his style of floral and Classical inlay were immensely popular and widely imitated by his contemporaries. The script monogram ‘RS’ suggests the commode was a specific commission but any further documentation has yet to confirm if the commode was by Maggiolini or an equally talented acolyte.
Maggiolini developed an instantly recognizable style which combined strong architectural forms with finely detailed floral and Classical inlay. Although the use of mounts is rare in Maggiolini’s oeuvre, those on the present commode relate to his documented work. A pair of commodes share closely related swagged ovals (G. Beretti, Giuseppe Maggiolini, Milan, 1994, pp.172-177) and a drawing of a musical trophy inscribed Albertoli in the Maggiolini workshop archives ( op cit, p. 27) was clearly used as the inspiration for those seen on each side of the central oval. The use of gilt copper instead of ormolu for the mounts themselves is distinctive and provides a further link with Maggiolini as it appears on a table sold anonymously at Sotheby's, London, 14 June 1996, lot 67.
As with the present commode, Maggiolini utilized distinct constructional elements, including the shallow frieze drawer, the paneled and sliding fronts that conceal long walnut-lined drawers, as well as the turned tapering and fluted legs. However, these features, as well as his style of floral and Classical inlay were immensely popular and widely imitated by his contemporaries. The script monogram ‘RS’ suggests the commode was a specific commission but any further documentation has yet to confirm if the commode was by Maggiolini or an equally talented acolyte.