Renaud GAUDRON (circa 1653-1727), attributed to - Lot 157

Renaud GAUDRON (circa 1653-1727), attributed to COMMODE In marquetry of flowers on an ebony base, the top decorated with a vase resting on an entablature supported by a mascaron in a large foliage frame, opening to five drawers decorated with foliage and masks, the bulging uprights in the lower part finished with sabots. Louis XIV period, late 17th century. H: 82 cm, W: 117 cm, D: 63 cm (Damage, missing parts) Bibliographical references : C. Demetrescu, "Les Gaudron, ébénistes du temps de Louis XIV", Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire de l'Art Français, 2000, p.33-61. C. Demetrescu, Les ébénistes de la Couronne sous le règne de Louis XIV, Lausanne, 2021. A similar drawer decoration can be found on a commode attributed to Renaud Gaudron now preserved at the Château de Versailles (Demetrescu 2021, op. cit., p. 207), but above all a very similar top decorated with a vase of flowers placed on an entablature supported by a mascaron on a Mazarin desk preserved at the Mobilier National in Paris (Demetrescu 2021, op. cit., p.180). A series of commodes with comparable marquetry is attributed to Renaud Gaudron: Hôtel de ventes de Chantilly - April 23, 2023 n°114 Artcurial sale, Paris - July 8, 2014 Hampel sale, Munich - September 19, 2013 n°63 Sale Me Ader, Picard, Tajan, Palais Galliera, December 10, 1973, n°102 Note. Renaud Gaudron, cabinetmaker to the Crown from 1686. Floral marquetry was imported from the United Provinces by two cabinetmakers, Pierre Gole ( 1620-1685) and André-Charles Boulle ( 1642-1732), reflecting the importance attached to flowers at the time, which were not only admired and studied, but also played a part in the economy through Tulipomania. During the second half of the 17th century, other Parisian cabinetmakers adopted this new decor. Renaud Gaudron, born around 1653, succeeded his father Aubertin Gaudron, a cabinetmaker and contemporary of Pierre Gole, as ordinary joiner to the bedroom and household of Madame la duchesse d'Orléans, and from 1672, supplier to the household of the Palatine, Monsieur's second wife, until her death in 1684. Renaud completed his apprenticeship in his father's workshop and was awarded the title of master before 1684. On his father's death, his mother gave him the position of ordinary carpenter to the Duchess of Orléans, which had belonged to his father. After Pierre Gole's death in 1684, for twenty-seven years he was almost the sole supplier of cabinetwork to the Garde - meuble de la Couronne. 412 pieces of furniture were delivered between June 8, 1686 and 1713. When Renaud Gaudron died in 1727 on rue de Richelieu, he was an annuitant and qualified as "officer to her late Highness Madame". His private clients included the Marquise de Seignelay at Château de Sceaux, the Duchess of Portsmouth and Michel de Chamillart.