Description
An Italian Maggiolini marquetry petite commode, or comodino, circa 1790.
Stamped ‘Casa Offredi’ to the underside.
A small late 18th century walnut, fruitwood and palissander, neoclassical inlaid commode in the manner of Guiseppe Maggiolini, Milan (1738-1814).
Of good rich colour and in excellent condition overall.
Inset with the original Carrara marble top. It is rare for these commodes to retain their original marble tops.
The inlaid door is located beneath a short working drawer.
All profusely and finely inlaid with complex scrolling arabesques typical of the style of Maggiolini.
Raised on tapering inlaid square legs.
These rare and highly functional petite commodes (or small chests) serve well as occasional tables / lamp tables / bedside tables to augment any elegant interior.
Nb. The quality of inlay of this compact table is typical of the work of Giuseppe Maggiolini, Milano.
This antique comodino would most probably have formed part of an en-suite ensemble with a marquetry commode similar to the one sold at Christies, lot 473 17th September 2013, for £35,000.
A closely related late 18th century Maggiolini petite commode was sold at Bonhams, Bond Street Gallery, on 25th June 2008 for £3600.00.
Measurements:
W 16”
H 31”
D 12”.
Refs:
González-Palacios, Alvar Il Tempio del Gusto. vol. II: Le arti decorative in Italia fra classicismi e barocco: Il Granducato di Toscana e gli Stati Settentrionali.
See Giuseppe Beretti, Giuseppe Maggiolini, L’Officina del Neo-Classisicismo, Milan (1994).
Literature: G. Morazzoni, ‘il Mobile inarsiato di Guiseppe Maggiolini’, Milan (1957) pls. LXX figs. A & LXXl.
Nb. Palissander is a rare hardwood of the Dalbergia species.
