An early George III mahogany serpentine dressing-commode attributed to William Gomm

An early George III mahogany serpentine dressing-commode attributed to William Gomm, the crossbanded top with a floret carved edge above four long graduated drawers fitted with original brass swan neck handles, the top drawer with a leatherette lined slide which part hinges above compartments and divisions, the right side with a drawer, flanked by leaf, flower and scroll carved angles on a sanded ground, the bracket feet and aprons carved with scrolling leaves and rocaille on brass castors, 82.5cm high, 117.5cm wide, 64cm deep.

Provenance: John Shaffer Phipps (1874-1958) Collection, New York and thence by descent to the present owner.

William Gomm established a cabinet making and upholstery workshop at Peterborough Court, in the parish of St. Bartholomew, Smithfield c.1725. By 1756 Richard William's son was working for the business and in 1763 the company was titled William Gomm & Son & Co. William Gomm is chiefly remembered for his association with Abraham Roentgen having given the famous German cabinet maker a work experience placement during his time in London in the 1730s. His major commission was to furnish Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire for the 5th Lord Leigh in 1763, where he worked with the decorators Bromwich & Leigh and produced at least six serpentine dressing commode tables similar to the above lot.

See Geoffrey Beard and Christopher Gilbert, Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, pp. 115 and 349-350 for a discussion of William Gomm also Sotheby's, New York, Property from the Hascoe Family Collection, 23rd January 2011, Lot 231 for a similar commode.