18th Century George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest or Commode
Attributed to Henry Hill, Marlbrough
SOLD
Request Information
Follow Us
18th Century George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest or Commode
A fine George III mahogany serpentine commode, England, circa 1770. Attributed to Henry Hill, Marlbrough.
The three graduated drawers retain their original gilt brass handles over a unique carved apron and flanked by molded angles continuing into the shaped cabriole feet. The chest is in superb and original country house condition.
Attribution
Henry Hill was active in Marlborough Wiltshire from circa 1740 until his death in 1778 where he ran a diverse business encompassing furniture making, coach making, house agency and auctioneering. He was described in his obituary in 1778 as ‘one of the most eminent cabinet-makers and upholsterers in the Kingdom’ which was considered a great tribute to a cabinet maker working outside London. His clients were predominately Wiltshire landowners including the 9th Duke of Somerset at Maiden Bradley, Paul Methuen at Corsham Court, Henry Hoare at Stourhead, and Earl Bathurst at Cirencester Park. Hill was clearly aware of the prevailing London fashions and would have had access to publications including Chippendale’s designs for French Commode Tables (The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director 1st Edition1754; Plate LXVI 3rd Edition 1763). He was also known to have employed immigrant labour (most likely German). All this is reflected in the designs of his furniture. His French Commodes were made with a number of variations dependent on his clients’ needs and budgets but invariably with three drawers and of serpentine form with flame figured veneers or marquetry, ormolu-mounted corners and a lobed front apron. The most documented commissions were for Lord Delaval (see bombe marquetry commode sold Bonhams London 19 October 2011). It seems likely that Hill had contact with Pierre Langlois with some of the mounts on his commodes being attributed to Langlois.
Condition
Fabulous and original country house condition with richly patinated surfaces!
Provenance
The provenance of this chest is also very interesting as it belonged to the late Major General Mark Bond, who was the last member of the Bond family to live at Moigne Combe. General Bond had an illustrious military career; he enlisted as a rifleman in 1940 following the Blitz of London. Major-General Bond served at the Battle of El-Alamein and the capture of Tunis. In 1943 Mark Bond was taken as a POW but managed to pull off a daring escape from his transport train. He was only recaptured after trying to steal supplies from the Germans. Major-General Mark Bond also served as aide de camp to Field Marshal Montgomery, NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in Europe 1950. A letter from Field Marshal Montgomery thanking Mark Bond for his service is present at Moigne Combe. During his fascinating life he had a distinguished military career, held prestigious Dorset offices and maintained an active approach to conservation (planting over 60,000 trees on his estate).
Literature
Dimensions
PREVIOUSLY SOLD
George III Parcel Gilt Painted Pair of Chairs
A fine pair of painted and carved George III English chairs in the French taste, upholstered in silk damask.
Possibly by John Linnell.
George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Dating from one of the most famous and highly celebrated periods in English furniture history, now known as the ‘Chippendale period’.
This fine George III mahogany serpentine chest is very much in the manner of Thomas Chippendale.
17th-Century Beadwork/Stumpwork Japanned Mirror
Advances in English domestic glass production in the second half of the century coincided with the fashion for stumpwork and resulted in the production of some of the most spectacular examples being produced.
Queen Anne Mulberry Bureau Firmly Attributed to Coxed and Woster, circa 1710 England
Queen Anne Mulberry Bureau Firmly Attributed to Coxed and Woster circa 1710 England SOLD Follow UsQueen Anne Mulberry Bureau Firmly Attributed to Coxed and Woster, circa 1710 England This magnificent Queen Anne 'Mulberry Wood' (field maple) bureau of small proportion...
A fine George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers in the manor of Henry Hill of Marlborough
A fine George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers in the manner of Henry Hill. With ebonised, ogee moulded serpentine dovetail-housed top.
William and Mary Kingwood or ‘Princes Wood’ Oyster Table Box
William & Mary Kingwood Oyster Table Box or ‘Princes Wood’, Circa 1690. England. Originally designed to store tableware and was given the apt name ‘table box’.
George III Parcel Gilt Painted Pair of Chairs
A fine pair of painted and carved George III English chairs in the French taste, upholstered in silk damask.
Possibly by John Linnell.
George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Dating from one of the most famous and highly celebrated periods in English furniture history, now known as the ‘Chippendale period’.
This fine George III mahogany serpentine chest is very much in the manner of Thomas Chippendale.
17th-Century Beadwork/Stumpwork Japanned Mirror
Advances in English domestic glass production in the second half of the century coincided with the fashion for stumpwork and resulted in the production of some of the most spectacular examples being produced.
Queen Anne Mulberry Bureau Firmly Attributed to Coxed and Woster, circa 1710 England
Queen Anne Mulberry Bureau Firmly Attributed to Coxed and Woster circa 1710 England SOLD Follow UsQueen Anne Mulberry Bureau Firmly Attributed to Coxed and Woster, circa 1710 England This magnificent Queen Anne 'Mulberry Wood' (field maple) bureau of small proportion...
A fine George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers in the manor of Henry Hill of Marlborough
A fine George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers in the manner of Henry Hill. With ebonised, ogee moulded serpentine dovetail-housed top.
William and Mary Kingwood or ‘Princes Wood’ Oyster Table Box
William & Mary Kingwood Oyster Table Box or ‘Princes Wood’, Circa 1690. England. Originally designed to store tableware and was given the apt name ‘table box’.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier £13,900Follow UsFine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier A fine and rare early 18th century George I Gilt Gesso pier or...
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1680-1700
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1680-1700 £3,900Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1680-1700 A fine and rare 17th-century William and Mary period olive oyster lace box of perfect...
18th Century George II Scarlet-Red Japanned Corner Cupboard Att. Giles Grendey
18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey Follow Us18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey A fine and rare early 18th century George II scarlet japanned chinoiserie...
18th-Century George II Mahogany Secretaire Linen Press, Attributed, Giles Grendey
18th-Century George II Mahogany Secretaire Linen Press, Attributed, Giles Grendey £10,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan £5,800Follow UsSigned Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan The highly decorated tray in the form of a table frames a series of...
Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820
Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820 £6,500Follow UsLate Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820 ELEGANT JAPANESE PILLAR CLOCK, 'SHAKU-DOKEI', c. 1820 The very fine 30-hour,...
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier
Fine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier £13,900Follow UsFine 18th Century George I Gilt Gesso Pier or Console Mirror, Manner of Belchier A fine and rare early 18th century George I Gilt Gesso pier or...
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1680-1700
17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1680-1700 £3,900Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1680-1700 A fine and rare 17th-century William and Mary period olive oyster lace box of perfect...
18th Century George II Scarlet-Red Japanned Corner Cupboard Att. Giles Grendey
18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey Follow Us18th Century George II Scarlet/Red Japanned Corner Cupboard, Att. Giles Grendey A fine and rare early 18th century George II scarlet japanned chinoiserie...
18th-Century George II Mahogany Secretaire Linen Press, Attributed, Giles Grendey
18th-Century George II Mahogany Secretaire Linen Press, Attributed, Giles Grendey £10,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan £5,800Follow UsSigned Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan The highly decorated tray in the form of a table frames a series of...
Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820
Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820 £6,500Follow UsLate Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820 ELEGANT JAPANESE PILLAR CLOCK, 'SHAKU-DOKEI', c. 1820 The very fine 30-hour,...