Flowermountain Furniture

A very fine and rare burr walnut and walnut double domed cupboard; Holland, circa 1700. Resting on bracket feet, the base has two large drawers a pair of half - width drawers, protruding on the bottom and inlaid with cross banded geometric ornament. The doors have elegant protruding curly serpentine - shaped walnut ornament and are topped with finely carved low - relief walnut lambrequins in the Régence style under the double domed cornice. Each dome has an elegant molding transforming in its centre into a richly carved bracket. Together with the flat - topped corners and centre, these were meant to support a Chinese porcelain or Delft glazed earthenware set of 5 blue - and -white vases, called a ' kaststel ' in Dutch. The interior is typically executed in oak, with three interior drawers and shelves behind the cupboard doors. As was often the case, the bronze handles and keyholes were replaced later in the 18th century by more contemporary Louis XVI models. The interior drawers however, where it was not felt important as they were invisible when the doors were closed, still keep their original handles. The double dome is a rare feature in Dutch walnut cabinets...