The designs for the elevation of the commode were executed with alterations to the ornamental details, and rather than being painted, it was executed in deal, and veneered with hardwood, satinwood and rosewood, and also ormolu. The design for the slab (Adam volume 18/63) was executed exactly in accordance with Adam's drawing. There is no extant drawing for the entire commode.

There are two commodes which survive in situ in the drawing room at Osterley, which are attributed alternatively to Ince and Mayhew or Linnell. They are hollow, and have no doors, being merely ornamentation to the wall. They incorporate marquetry medallions thought to have been made by Christopher Fürlong. The central medallion is a copy in marquetry of a painting by Angelica Kauffman: Venus explaining to Cupid the Torch of Hymen. The flanking oval medallions which depict female figures probably relate to designs made by Kauffman's husband, Antonio Zucchi.

Adam designed a similar commode in 1773 for the Duke of Bolton at Bolton House (SM Adam volume 17/18).

Further to the mirror frames and commodes, other furniture within the drawing room includes a tripod candle stand, possibly designed by Adam, and seat furniture which was probably designed by Linnell.

Group

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

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