catalog text
LOUIS XIV EBONIZED AND BRASS-INLAID DISPLAY CABINET ON STAND
France | upper portion composed of 18th century materials, stand crafted of 19th century materials, interior covered with mirrored glass in the 20th century
Item # 309GPP22W
An incredibly cool and relevant cabinet with a loving touch from every century, this display case features a double-dome top over two doors revealing a shelved interior. The front is a picture of contrast, the elaborate boulle-work with symmetrical displays of brass inlay that flow across every aspect of the facade being sharp and brilliant against the nearly black surface of the case.
The center of each door is hung with a ormolu brass escutcheon, though keys for the cabinet are long lost. The interior was lined with mirrors during the 20th century, an effort which modernizes the cabinet and makes it rather relevant to the way we live and display our cherished objects today. It is raised over a 19th century stand with faceted legs, ball feet and straight stretchers.
A very clever cabinet, extensively restored and most refined, it is a rich design object for the interior that needs some vibrant surface history, timeless form of antiquity and modern adaptations for usefulness in today's spaces.
Measurements: 69 7/8" H x 18 1/2" D x 53 1/8" W
Condition Report:
The cabinet has been worked on, reworked and restored many times over the years; the upper portion is composed of largely of early 18th century elements with some later elements; the interior was covered with mirrored glass and two glass shelves were added during the 20th century; the stand is created from old repurposed elements during the 19th century; wear to the black lacquered surfaces throughout including shrinkage cracks and striations in the surface, wear to the handled parts; some missing or "popped" inlays and other minor damages; no key and the lock is untested; a very fine presentation.