Circa 1770, oak secondary, white with grey veined marble molded tops with notched corners and stepped front, above a conforming case featuring an upper shallow drawer with interwoven foliate ormolu mounts above two deep drawers with full dust boards, front stiles are convex with a bold acanthus leaf and bow gilt bronze mount, the rear stiles feature a vertical raised rib conforming throughout the cabriole leg (note conforming marble), raised on cabriole legs, paneled sides with repeating motif, the whole with repeating lattice inlays designed with ebony and light wood dot accents.

Commode A: 38 x 56.5 x 23 in., Commode B: 36.5 x 56.5 x 23.5 in.

Private Collection, Greensboro, North Carolina

Almost certainly bought by John Alexander, 4th Marquess of Bath (1831-1896) for Longleat, Wiltshire and by descent at Longleat.
Christie's London, Furniture, Porcelain and Silver from Longleat, June 14, 2002, Sale 6594, Lot 368.

These commodes are referenced in two inventories of the 4th Marquess' Heirlooms at Longleat, the first from 1869 and the second from 1896, as being in The Dowager's Bedroom.

Commode B is 1.5 inches shorter than Commode A due to all four feet and ormolu have been reduced/cut on Commode B.

Commode B: veneer molding loss to left rear knee of leg; several veneer chips, buckling and loss to front drawer facings; some fading and haziness to finish at bottom drawer; the right panel with a horizontal shrinkage crack and banded veneer loss to the rear edge.

Commode A: left and right side panels with horizontal shrinkage cracks; veneer buckling and chips to drawer facings; three inch diameter gilt bronze pull (Commode B has a 2.5 inch diameter pull), both sets likely later.

Both commodes with some minor veneer patching; some speckled paint, age appropriate wear and slight discoloration to marble.

$30,000 - 50,000