By Gilles Joubert A Marquetry And Gilt-bronze Commode Stamped With The C-crowned Mark, C. 1745

By Gilles Joubert A Marquetry and Gilt-Bronze "Commode Sauteuse" Stamped with the C-Crowned Mark, Circa 1745-1749

Museum Quality:

An exceptional commode sauteuse in marquetry of amaranth, rosewood, and violetwood, enriched with finely chased and gilded bronze mounts bearing the C-crowned stamp (1745-1749). The veined gray marble top surmounts a façade with two drawers—devoid of a central stretcher—adorned with geometric marquetry reserves. The ensemble rests on elegantly curved legs, combining grace and sturdiness.

This commode can be compared to a stamped piece by Gilles Joubert, ébéniste du Roi (see Christie’s sale, December 19, 2007). It retains a trace of a maker’s stamp, as well as multiple marks from the Jurande des Menuisiers-Ébénistes (JME) on the front left stile, attesting to its authenticity and craftsmanship.

Dimensions:

Height: 34⅞ inches (88.5 cm)

Width: 49⅞ inches (126.5 cm)

Depth: 26 inches (66 cm)

Condition:

Excellent. This commode has been meticulously restored and recently refinished with a French polish, enhancing its luster.

Biography:

Gilles Joubert (1689–1775)

Gilles Joubert attained his mastership between 1715 and 1720. He began working for the king in 1748, initially as an occasional supplier. As his reputation grew, he was selected in 1755 to craft two sumptuous corner cabinets (encoignures) intended for the medal cabinet delivered in 1739 to the King’s Study at Versailles.

In 1758, he became ébéniste ordinaire du Garde-meuble de la Couronne, and in 1763, he was appointed ébéniste du Roi, succeeding Jean-François Oeben. As dean of his guild, Joubert embodied the Louis XV style while evolving toward neoclassical motifs, foreshadowing the Transition period. Reluctant to stamp his works, his oeuvre is primarily documented in the Journal du Garde-Meuble, which records nearly 4,000 pieces delivered to the Crown between 1748 and 1774. Jean-Henri Riesener succeeded him in 1774.

Works in Public Collections:

Corner cabinets, commode – Château de Versailles

Commode – J. Paul Getty Museum

The Jurande des Menuisiers-Ébénistes (JME)

Established in 1743, the Jurande was composed of a syndic and six jurors. It regulated the quality of Parisian workshops, stamped compliant pieces, and confiscated defective works. The statutes, registered in 1751, formalized the separation between joiners and sculptors. A tax of dix sols was levied, and counterfeits were subject to fines and penalties.

“The court orders that the said letters patent be registered, in accordance with the charges, clauses, and conditions set forth in the decrees of the Court of July 12, 1745, January 20, 1749, and May 21, 1751…” (Parliament, August 20, 1751).

Bibliography:

Le Mobilier Français du XVIIIe Siècle – Pierre Kjellberg (2002)

Les Ébénistes français de Louis XIV à la Révolution – Alexandre Pradère (1989)

Les Ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle – Comte François de Salverte (1934)