Impressive Cabinet with Inlays Ebony Italy 19th Century

Impressive Cabinet with Inlays Ebony Italy 19th Century

Features

Style: Eclecticism (1870-1890)

Age: 19th Century / 1801 - 1900

Origin: Liguria, Italy

Main essence: Ebony

Description

Monumental cabinet composed of three parts and two vaults with carvings. Ebony veneer embellished with inlays. The plinth base of the cabinet is divided in five different parts and has two large uprights in the middle. Each part and both sides are decorated with inlaid scenes with playing cherubs representing different allegories of sciences and arts. The central body is composed of three parts with inlaid doors and turned columns. On the pair of uprights within niches among the turned columns are depicted a male and female fauns made of carved walnut. A pair of pilaster strips carved with dragons and intertwined flowers on both sides. On the band dividing the two spaces there are inlays depicting playing cherubs like on the niches on the doors where a pair of vestals are depicted. The pediment under the frieze is decorated with inlays and floral garlands. The raised part is architecturally built and the part enclosed in fluted columns contains an inlaid niche culminating with a carved coat of arms and dragons. Both the small friezes of the two lateral domes are embellished with a carved in the round vase of flowers. Some drawers within the cabinet and an inlaid compartment with dames behind the central doors. The compartments can be pulled out and give access to further hidden compartments. The cabinet is made of chestnut, pine wood and cherry. It has some stamps of transport to Turin on some parts on the back. The inlays of cherubs are inspired by Francois Boucher's printings while the panel in the middle shows Trionfo di Galatea by Raffaello da Sanzio. Manufactured in Italy, third quarter of the 19th century.

Product Condition:
Very good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. It may have been restored by an expert.

Dimensions (cm):
Height: 230
Width: 183,5
Depth: 49

Report issued by Enrico Sala

Additional Information

Style: Eclecticism (1870-1890)

Towards the end of the 19th century, the taste for the combination of elements taken from various styles of the past asserted itself. The eclectic style is therefore characterized by the mixture of styles typical of the Gothic, the Baroque, the Renaissance, the Neoclassicism in search of elegant compositional virtuosity.
Find out more on our blog:
The dictionary of antiques: Eclecticism
Classic Monday: a sofa from the 1800s example of eclecticism

Age: 19th Century / 1801 - 1900

19th Century / 1801 - 1900

Main essence: Ebony

Without any doubt it is one of the most precious and appreciated essences ever. Very hard and resistant, it is pleasant to the touch thanks to its smoothness, it is a wood with a typical black color. Being very rare it was traded as a precious metal and frequently forged. Because of its hardness, it is very difficult to work, which is why the term cabinetmaker, which indicates the very skilled craftsman in fine carpentry works, derives from this very essence. In modern times, it was introduced by the Flemings and Germans and immediately enjoyed success with the French. The golden period for Ebony was the Baroque, especially in the Boulle style workings. In general it is widely used in inlays, but also for furniture upholstery, for contrasting effects alongside brass, bronze and tortoiseshell.