Portuguese 18th Century Painted Altar Cabinet

Dimensions: 38 ¼” H x 22 ¼” W x 10 ½” D

A fantastic 18th century Portuguese oratory, that is a small niche dedicated to prayer like one’s own private chapel or shrine, hidden inside this wall-hanging cabinet. On the exterior, the dark wood cabinet has a shaped pediment applied to the cornice, over two paneled, arched doors conforming to the low arch of the top. Opening the (locking) doors reveals the folk art painted interior of delicate roses, scrolling gold vines, and stars over a mottled turquoise background surrounding the gold corona at the center of the back. The bottom third of the piece appears in marbleized brown tones like wood grain with subtle foliate imagery. The cabinet is finished by a moulded plinth base to sit directly on a table or other surface if not mounted on the wall; two small metal hooks project from the top for hanging. Gently cleaned and polished with a French paste wax to preserve all the historic character, ready for your interior. Please view the detailed images as they are a necessary part of the product description.