A Pair of Mahogany Bedside Commodes From Chatsworth.

A Fine and rare pair of George III mahogany bedside commodes by William Brailsford.

Made for the Sabine Bedroom at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire.

Each commode with a serpentine front with four simulated drawers with their original lacquered brass swan-neck handles.  Supported on four shaped bracket feet, the tops lifting to reveal their original fittings.

Provenance:

A Private UK collection.

Previously at Chatsworth House. Sold Sotheby’s 5-7 October 2010

Literature:

G. Beard & G. Gilbert. The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers.

1660-1840.  pg. 101.

Chatsworth, Derbyshire.  A Seat of the Duke of Devonshire K.G.

Country Life Magazine, June 15th 1907.  Pg 870.  Where Illustrated in the Sabine Bedroom.

The Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth, The House. 2002  Pg. 67, where

Illustrated in the Leicester Bedroom.   See Image.

Thomas & William Brailsford of Sheffield were commissioned by the 5^th Duke for a large quantity of bedroom furniture from 1774 and over the subsequent decade.  They are recorded as having supplied three ‘night stools’ for Chatsworth.  Each of these was made to simulate a small chest of drawers.  On 12^th April 1774 their bill described one of these commodes as follows.  ‘To a neat Mahogany night stool with commode front as folding doors for the top part to the bottom part to represent Draws (sic) best wrought £2. 12. 00 ‘