Object Description
Circa 1770. Rare George 3rd ormolu mounted, serpentine fronted mahogany commode in the French taste, attributed to Henry Hill of Marlborough. The serpentine top in a fine figured Spanish mahogany with a bold moulded edge above three long cock-beaded drawers with mirror matching flame mahogany facings and original gilt metal swan neck handles. The top drawer fitted with a baize covered brushing slide and a compartmented interior, similar to many commodes attributed to Henry Hall. The serpentine corners with gilt bronze foliate mounts above a shaped apron and supported on splayed French bracket feet with ormolu sabots.
Literature:
Henry Hill from the town of Marlborough in Wiltshire was a pre-eminent furniture designer and active cabinetmaker between 1740 and 1778. His Marlborough base was conveniently situated between London and Bath which was highly fashionable at the time. Henry Hill’s clients were predominately wealthy Wiltshire landowners including the 9th Duke of Somerset at Maiden Bradley and the Earl of Bathurst at Cirencester Park.