This commode or chest of drawers was made for the bedchamber at
Versailles of the Comtesse de Provence, the wife of Louis XVI's
eldest brother and the future Louis XVIII. It was completed in a
very short time. The order was placed on 8 February 1776 and the
piece was delivered on 30 March. Although the price was reduced
from 8,250 to 7,750 livres, it was still the most expensive commode
supplied by Riesener that year.
The 10th Duke displayed the commode in the Music Room at Hamilton
Palace. It is clearly recognisable as 'A beautiful inlaid Marquetrie
Pier Commode of 5 Drawers with Vase of Flowers in front and much
enriched with chased metal ornaments and French marble Slab', in
the list for the Music Room, in the inventory compiled in the early
1850s. The commode was bought for £2,310 at the 1882 Hamilton Palace
sale and is now at Waddesdon Manor,
near Aylesbury.
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