Mathieu Béfort Cupboards

Cupboard supported by spinning top-shaped feet, there are two doors on the front, with curved sides. The uprights on the front are placed at 45° with a concave structure that contains two turned columns in gilded bronze; the uprights on the back are protruding and fluted with brass steel plates. Palm wood veneer, with maple reserves on the base, triage maple reserves on the sides, stained maple and Indian walnut threading, on a mahogany base; on the doors there are reserves in "vernis Martin" on a golden base, where are depicted two pairs of putti sitting on clouds, busy writing and playing the zither, while the others are painting or sculpting: they are allegorical representations of the arts. The structure is made of sessile oak wood, with mahogany veneer interiors. It is decorated with gilded bronze applications and framing, with some clear and some opaque finishing; the frames consist of a single piece, realized specifically for this cabinet. The top is in marble with a violet breach, with a bronze frame underneath it. Some frames also delimit the reserves on the sides and on the front, while phytomorphic and floral bronze decorations are applied on the under-the-top band. The lock of the doors has a brass covering, with a double lock on the top and on the bottom. It has a double stamp “BEFORT JEUNE” on the wood, under the marble top. Historical and stylistic analysis: Mathieu Befort...