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Walnut Cabinet with Original Gilding, Paint, Ebony, Marble and Bronze

Offered by: L' Antiquaire & The Connoisseur, Inc.

Description
Provenance: Joseph Brummer, New York
Dikran Kelekian, Paris

A broken pediment framing a stacked plinth is raised above the upper half of the cabinet, which has two doors, carved in low relief, each depicting a mythological god and goddess respectively, modeled after sixteenth century Mannerist engravings. These doors are each flanked by a pair of ebony colonnettes, which frame grotesque carvings and inset marble plaquettes.
The interior of the upper cabinet and doors is lined with late sixteenth century silk damask and cross-banded, in various geometric forms, with period silk gimp. This part of the upper cabinet is raised on a base of three drawers, each inset with marble, and the central one of which is decorated with carved grotesques. The lower half of the cabinet stylistically and formalistically echoes the upper half.
The cabinet retains its original wrought-iron hinges, locks, lock escutcheons, and keys. Considered to be the most prestigious piece of furniture in the sixteenth century, this type of cabinet in two parts is a fine and rare example of the French court cabinet, a form first popularized at Fontainebleau.
This cabinet remains in its original form with only minor repairs. Evidence of late seventeenth century repairs confirms the high esteem in which these cabinets were held throughout the centuries.

More Information

Origin:	France
Period:	Pre 18th Century
Materials:	Walnut with traces of original gilding and paint
Condition:	Excellent.
Creation Date:	Circa 1590
Styles / Movements:	Baroque, Traditional
Book References:	Comparative Literature: Riccardi-Cubitt, Monique. The Art of the Cabinet. 1992 Thames and Hudson Ltd, London. Page 26.
Dealer Reference #:	BCA 16-01
Incollect Reference #:	178078

Dimensions

W.	41 in;	H.	76 in;	D.	17 in;
W.	104.14 cm;	H.	193.04 cm;	D.	43.18 cm;

Message from Seller:

The gallery deals in European works of art, antiques and paintings from antiquity to the end of the eighteenth century. Under Mrs. Fioratti's direction, the gallery has continued to supply works of art to museums across America and Europe. She has designed interiors in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Mrs. Fioratti has worked on architectural restorations, and restored a 10th century village near Siena.