AN IMPORTANT EARLY GEORGE III PADOUKWOOD SERPENTINE COMMODE

Designed in the French manner with fine gilt-metal mounts; the top veneered in four segments and
with a broad rosewood crossbanding and a moulded edge, the front with three drawers oak-lined
and outlined with narrow mouldings, the bottom one forming part of the shaped apron, with
serpentine ends projecting and moulded corners and slender slightly splayed feet; the gilt-metal
mounts including gadrooned carrying handles at each side with berried leaf plates, matching
handles to the drawers, flame escutcheons also enclosed by berried leaves and with acanthus leaf
and scroll feet.
An almost identical commode was supplied to James West of Alscot Park, Warwickshire in 1766 by
John Cobb who described it as an extra fine wood commode chest of drawers with large
handsome wrought furniture, good brass locks, etc. - £16’.
It is illustrated on page 112 of Cabinet Makers and Furniture Designers by Hugh Honour
A similar commode exists at Harewood House and another, decorated with oriental lacquer and
English Japan is illustrated, plate 93 of Chinoiserie by Hugh Honour.
John Cobb is one of the greatest of English cabinet makers. His sense of design and the quality of
craftsmanship from his workshops was excelled by none of his contemporaries. An interesting
feature in the commode above is the design of the lower drawer to form the apron rather than the
usual English construction of the apron being part of the carcase. This feature of Cobb's, which
considerably adds to the elegance of furniture of this type, was fully understood by the greatest
French cabinet makers of the mid-18th Century but is hardly known in English furniture design.
John Cobb first appears in partnership with William Vile in the London Directory of 1750. When Vile
retired in 1765, Cobb continued the business on his own account. It is probably that this is one of
the earlier pieces which he produced after Vile's retirement.