French Japonisme style hardwood display cabinet

French Japonisme style hardwood display cabinet
French, late 19th Century
Height 168cm, width 65cm, depth 34cm

This superb display cabinet is designed in the Japonisme style, inspired by the work of nineteenth century French cabinet maker Gabriel Viardot. Supported on four cabriole legs, the cabinet is roughly divided into three tiers. The lower tier, an open compartment, features a shelf with carved detailing, as well as gilt bronze mounts to the shoulders of the legs. Topping the lower tier is a second storage space, the right side of which is open, and the left closed behind a lockable door. The right side features a shelf and decorative openwork designs.

The top level is composed of a lockable arched glass display cabinet with two shelves, and features a shaped roof which rises upwards at either end and is centred by a carved wooden sculpture of a dragon. The left-hand side has shelving and further decorative openwork designs, and features geometrical carved motifs and gilt bronze mounts.

Artist/maker: (style of) Gabriel Viardot (French, 1830-1906)