Burlington House Commodes Back in Original Home
Cabinets Have Been Returned to Royal Academy of Arts After 150 Years
Jul 19, 2009
Burlington House, located on London's Piccadilly, has been home to the Royal Academy of Arts since 1866. Before that it was one of the finest private residences in London.
Burlington House Commodes
Most of the furniture in the house was lost many years ago; among these items were a pair of semi-circular cabinets, now known as the Burlington Commodes.
The commodes are constructed from deal, mahogany and oak, and veneered with West Indian satinwood and holly with rosewood bandings. The pieces feature hare-wood and burr-yew marquetry and ormolu mounts. The cabinets, which were probably built by London cabinet-makers, John Mayhew and William Ince (act. 1758-1804), are extremely fine examples of Neo-classical craftsmanship and design.
History of the Burlington Commodes
The commodes were mentioned in the collection of the Hon. Charles Compton Cavendish (1793-1863) later 1st Lord Chesham. who inherited Burlington House in 1834.
The furniture was probably manufactured for Charles' father, Lord George Cavendish (1754-1834). He occupied the house after his marriage in 1782 and commissioned a large quaintly of satinwood and marquetry furniture. When the state apartments at Burlington House were redesigned in the early 19th Century the commodes were altered. Side panels, shaped to match the re-modelled walls and skirtings typical of the period, were added.
In 1854 Lord Chesham sold Burlington House to the British Government as a permanent home for the Royal Academy of Arts and other cultural organisations. The cabinets stayed with the Cavendish family at Latimer, the family seat in Buckinghamshire. In 1945 John Compton Cavendish (1894-1952) 4th Baron Chesham, sold them at Sotheby's Art Auction House. At that time the sale catalogue noted that the furniture originally came from Burlington House.
The 2nd Lord Glenconner purchased the pieces at the Sotheby's sale. In 1957 he then sold the commodes at Christie's. Somehow their history was overlooked until they were re-sold in 1984 (again at Christie's).
Joseph Friedman Rediscovers History of Burlington Commodes
When Joseph Friedman noticed a label on the back of one of the commodes he was able to piece together their lost provenance. As a result the present owner has allowed the cabinets to return to their original home.
The return of these items to Burlington House marks an important landmark in the history of the House. It will be the first time in more than 150 years that any of the original furnishings have been on display in their original context. Their presence in the newly restored state apartments will enhance visitors' experience and knowledge.
Joseph Friedman is an independent art dealer and consultant with considerable experience as a curator and advisor to many public and private art institutions including the National Gallery of Ireland, the British Library and the National Portrait Gallery.
The Burlington Commodes will be on display in the Royal Academy’s John Madejski Fine Rooms, from 27th July to 31st December 2009.
Full details of viewing times can be obtained from the Royal Academy of Arts
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