EBONIZED EMPIRE CABINET WITH POLYCHROMED CARYATIDS
Probably Vienna, Austria, circa 1820
35 1/4" H x 19 5/8" D x 41 3/4" W
Pine, fruitwood, bronze
This cabinet presents a strongly architectural example of early 19th-century Austro-Hungarian Empire design with a fabulous glowing ebonized lacquer surface, parcel-gilt stenciled ornament and polychromed Neoclassical caryatid figural supports.
The façade is organized with a single frieze drawer above a pair of doors. The drawer is fitted with beautifully cast gilt bronze ring pulls with layered leaves, pierced hoops and flowers with berries. It is crisply hand-dovetailed in the typical manner with fruitwood linings that are beautifully finished in the interior, this divided into three sections (and at one point would have had lids). Below, the pair of cabinet doors open to reveal a single adjustably shelved interior. Flanking the doors, the female caryatids are finely sculpted as draped classical figures with calm expressions, their bodies accented in gilt against a green ground and capped with gilt capitals that visually support the frieze above.
The cabinet is constructed with fruitwood secondary elements, including the drawer sides and bottom. The back is framed with pine mortise-and-tenon frame construction, this fitted with two recessed fruitwood panels set into grooves. The cabinet stands on tapering legs, appropriate and well-executed later replacements. It retains one working key.
A very striking piece - austere, balanced, finely executed and incredibly relevant in both modern and classical settings.
Condition:
Refreshed lacquered surface with added stenciled decoration around the rim, probably early 20th century. Legs are not original. The compartments in the top drawer likely had sliding panels originally - these can be annoying and were likely removed for that reason. Backboards are original and undisturbed, modern nails supplementing the early nailing. Vertical shrinkage cracks and striations in the primary surfaces. Retains one working key. General wear consistent with age and use including loss to ebonizing in numerous areas. A fine presentation: ready to place.
ref. 512KIS11W
