A Fine Branded Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Serpentine Commode

A Fine Branded Louis XV Ormolu Mounted Kingwood Serpentine Commode. The marble top with molded edge above two short and one long cross banded drawers with gilt bronze rocaille handles and key plates, the shaped apron centering a rococo foliate gilt bronze scroll, flanked by rounded corners continuing in cabriole legs and terminating in gilt bronze sabots. L 45 in. D 23 in. H 33 in.

The commode was made by and bears the stamp of Louis Delaitre

He is cited in all the definitive references of important French ebenistes.  He is given an entry in Pierre Kjellberg’s important book published in 1989, Le Moblier Française du 18 eme Sièle. On page 229, Kjellbergs states that Delaitre became a master ebeniste on 19 November 1738. He was reputed to be a fine cabinet maker and no less a violent and vindictive fellow. His difficult character resulted in very tempestuous relations with his entourage. Until the 1750’s, Delaitre produced fine furniture in the prevailing Louis XV style of his time. His atelier was located on the rue Saint-Nicholas. He was known for large pieces of furniture and sought after for his commodes with recognizably massive forms – some of which were in the manner then referred to as en tombeau. He also produced other case furniture such as desks and dressing tables He may have also produced Boulle marquetry furniture. A fine desk of tortoise and brass marquetry in the Boulle style with the stamp of Delaitre was exhibited at the exhibition of Les Grandes Èbènistes in 1955 – 56 in Paris held at the Musèe des Arts Decoratifs. However scholars suggest that Delaitre stamped an older piece after undertaking it’s restoration and admit that sholarship remains to determine if he worked in the Boulle tradition as well.  He seems to have also produced for certain retail sellers (marchands merciers) such as Migeon to whom a commode which is known to exist and which bears both the stamp of Delaitre and Migeon.