Footnotes

Provenance
The present lot formerly belonged to Sir John Dugdale Astley, 3rd Baronet (1828-1894).

A closely related serpentine commode attributed to Henry Hill of Marlborough sold Christie's, London, 23 July 2020, Wilton Crescent: A Robert Kime Interior, lot 152. Both the offered example and this comparable share a number of characteristics in common, which are: elegant serpentine profiles; prominent moulded top edging; 'book-matched' flame figured drawer front veneers; cabriole angles; and distinctive shaping or 'waving' to their aprons. Added to this, they have very similar handle mounts.

In terms of construction, whilst the output of Henry Hill tends to be typified by the employment of pine drawer bottoms, it is notable that both of these particularly fine models incorporate drawers made solely of mahogany. There is at least another model of this type recorded as having mahogany lined drawers and it is illustrated in L. Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, 1994, London, p. 205.

A further variant of interest, one possibly attributable to Henry Hill, sold Christie's, London, 15 November 2017, The Collector, lot 6. Although this also has a number of the same aforementioned elements in common with the present, as well as previously referenced, commodes, perhaps most interesting of all is the fact that these two both incorporate the fairly unusual feature of the cockbeading continuing down the drawer sides so as to conceal any dovetailing. Evidently this constructional aspect is apparent on some other examples likewise attributed to Hill, as referred to in Ibid, p. 66, fig. VI.

The French style angle mounts on the above compare relatively closely in style, design and even execution to those appearing on a version attributed to the Marlborough cabinet maker, which sold Christie's, London, 28 November 2002, English Furniture, lot 120.

As already referenced, the book matched flame figured veneering to the drawer fronts of this lot is often a distinctive aspect of serpentine commodes either known to have been made by, or attributed to, Henry Hill of Marlborough. However, other notable elements which also recur throughout much of this renowned maker's output can also be found on the offered example and these include: a serpentine profile, cabriole angles and a 'scalloped' apron. Such characteristics appear on a number of commodes attributed to Hill that are in the Lady Lever Art Gallery as well as featuring in L. Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, 1994, London, No. 4, pp.'s 64-73.

Lucy Wood illustrates therein three closely related versions (in order of similarity): a mahogany commode, formerly with Mallett; a commode sold Christie's, London, 23 February 1989, lot 131 and a pair in the collection of The Rt. Hon. Lord Methuen at Corsham Court, Wiltshire, a documented Henry Hill commission. A further similar chest with identical profile is in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, and illustrated M. Tomlin, Catalogue of Adam Period Furniture, London, 1982, p. 180.

Though Hill's furniture commissions were largely from Wiltshire families, they were among some of the most sophisticated patrons of the era. One exception was the commission for Sir John, later Lord Delaval, who was also a patron of the Royal cabinet-marker, John Cobb. Delaval was unique in that furniture made by Hill was for Lord Delaval's London house.

An old label to the interior of the present lot refers to Sir John Dugdale Astley, 3rd Baronet, who was almost certainly a previous owner. An eccentric character, Sir Astley was a member of the Scots Fusilier Guards from 1848 to 1859, serving in the Crimean War and would later retire as a Lieutenant-Colonel. Towards the end of his military service, Sir Astley married Eleanor Blanche Mary Corbett, heiress to Elsham Hall, North Lincolnshire – with his finances and future now relatively secure, Sir Astley devoted his life to horse racing, boxing and pedestrianism (an early form of competitive walking).

His particular devotion to horse racing led to him becoming a popular figure within the scene, acquiring the nickname 'The Mate' on account of his gambling habit and ability to both win and lose vast sums of money. Before his death, Sir Astley wrote a book detailing his sporting escapades; if the foreword of this book is to be believed, it was predominantly written in order to fund his lifestyle, having spent a majority of his money on horses. It proved to be a success and was in fact the first recorded use of the phrase "like a duck to water", referring to his natural shooting ability.