M.S. Rau Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

There is more to this exceptional George IV Davenport desk than meets the eye. Attributed to famed cabinetmaker Gillows of Lancaster and London and crafted of luxurious rosewood, the...

This monumental Boulle commode was crafted by Robert Blake, one of the finest and most important English cabinetmakers of his time. It is modeled after the legendary pair of commodes...

This magnificent demi-lune Georgian sideboard displays the pinnacle of the era’s refined craftsmanship and boasts a distinguished provenance. Crafted of the finest mahogany, the era's timber of choice for well-appointed manor homes, the sideboard is inlaid with satinwood marquetry and crossbanded with tulipwood, one of the most coveted species of rosewood. Tulipwood is prized not only for its durability but also for its innate beauty. The sideboard features its original brass pull handles and knobs. Illustrating the caliber of its exquisite craftsmanship, this large demi-lune sideboard was once housed in one of the most illustrious grand manor homes of the era, Hackwood Park...

This magnificent pair of French commodes captures the refinement of the Louis XVI style. A highly detailed parquetry design is inlaid into the commodes’ facades and centered by beaut...

Classical style and impeccable design distinguish this English upright cane cabinet. Crafted of lustrous Cuban mahogany, this case is comprised of a beautifully paneled door which op...

This extraordinary sideboard is attributed to the famed Wright and Mansfield and was only certainly created specifically for the important 19th century international exhibitions. Satinwood, ebony, marble and doré bronze of superior quality, are combined with a classical theme culminating in this neoclassical masterpiece. The 19th century marked an era dominated by significant global exhibitions, prompting artisans from diverse fields to push their creative boundaries in crafting exceptionally beautiful and pioneering works. These masterpieces were showcased before an international audience, frequently graced by nobility and royalty from various corners of the globe. The pinnacle of the firm's craftsmanship and artistry, this exquisite sideboard would certainly have been a showpiece for Wright and Mansfield. Wright and Mansfield was an important and prominent Victorian firm that produced many of the finest pieces of English furniture ever made. They served as Cabinetmakers to Queen Victoria, and several of their pieces are housed and on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Widely recognized for their superb craftsmanship and innovative designs, they received acclaim for their works exhibited in the 1862 London International Exhibition, the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle and the 1876 Philadelphia World...

This English cane cabinet exhibits classical style and impeccable design. Crafted of lustrous Cuban mahogany, this upright case features a beautifully paneled door which opens to rev...

One of only three of its kind, this commode was crafted by the famed and highly celebrated ébéniste François Linke. Blending the stunning marquetry of the Louis XV and XVI styles with the elegance of Art Nouveau, the commode exemplifies Linke's skilled craftsmanship. Inspired by François Alix's iconic "Meuble Soleil" design, Linke's creation showcases his signature genius in every aspect of the commode's construction. The superior quality of the breche marble shelves and top, marquetry and ormolu that form the undulating body of the cabinet serve as a testament to Linke’s unwavering dedication to perfection. The craftsman spared no expense, investing significant time and utilizing only the finest materials to create this work of art. Tens of thousands of hand-wrought chisel marks are visible within the ormolu frieze of scrolling foliage. The breathtaking marquetry landscape on the front is perhaps the commode's greatest feature, depicting a radiant sun bursting from behind trees, elegantly enhanced by Linke's unmistakable signature on the lower right molding and on the inside of the inner cabinets. For Linke, winning the coveted Gold Medal at the 1900 Paris Exhibition Universelle confirmed his already solid reputation as France's leading ébéniste. His work had long been admired for its exceptional quality and unique interpretation of the Louis XV style. Born in Bohemia in 1855, Linke moved to Paris in 1881 where he established his now-famous workshop and showroom. Word of Linke's superior work spread quickly through France, and he soon eclipsed even the finest furniture houses in Paris. Today, Linke is counted among the most important furniture makers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his work is dearly coveted by collectors. As one of the most masterful furniture designers and bronziers of his time, François Alix would only supply designs and bronze pieces to the most skilled of his contemporaries. Linke chose this unique design personally and only produced three versions of this remarkable piece, with the first one crafted in 1910. A similar commode is housed in the Royal Collection Trust...

This rare 18th-century serpentine chest of drawers was crafted in the style of the iconic Thomas Chippendale. The George III mahogany dresser is complete with its original brass hand...

This extraordinary Irish bureau cabinet was crafted based on a design for a desk and bookcase drawn from Thomas Chippendale’s famed 1762 edition of The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's ...

This William and Mary-period chest is distinguished by oyster veneering and circular inlay. Intersecting circles are inlaid into the veneers on the drawer fronts and on top of the ch...

Elegant pillars of Meissen Porcelain distinguish this lovely pair of shelves. An ebonized wood frame gives them structure, and a mirrored backing completes their design. circa 188...

Superior craftsmanship and elegant bronze work characterize this tambour front roll top writing desk by François Linke, the most important French ébéniste of his time. Linke is celeb...

Superior craftsmanship and intricate marquetry characterize this rare secrétaire by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugène Durand, one of the most popular French ébénistes of the 19th century. Th...

Enveloped in sumptuous parquetry and doré bronze, this majestic Louis XIV inspired French linen press displays the characteristics of superior craftsmanship and luxurious design seen in the creations of the iconic Françios Linke. Crafted of sumptuous kingwood, the glorious parquetry door opens to reveal six compartments used to store linens, such as those for the bedroom or even the dining table. The masterful woodwork is flawlessly balanced by intricate doré bronze mounts in the form of Neoclassical floral swags, garlands, plumes and acanthus scrolls. The delicately spiraled doré bronze feet give the cabinet a sense of lightness and balance. Enhanced by a beautiful rouge marble top, this elegant linen press is an excellent example of late 19th century French furniture...

One of the rarest furniture forms created by John Henry Belter, this armoire is a testament to this legendary cabinet maker's talent. Recognized as a Pioneer in design and craftsmans...

Matchless style and high-quality craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Pierre Roussel's furniture, and this exceptional Louis XVI-era commode epitomizes this master craftsman's skill. Crafted of rosewood veneer with a violet wood frame and intricate parquetry inlay, the cabinet's graceful design is also highly practical. The compact form holds two drawers, one of which can be locked for added security. A specimen of marble provides the perfect surface, while bronze ormolu mounts add an additional hint of luxury to the drawers and body. Elegantly curved cabriole legs with bronze ormolu shoes complete this impeccable piece. Known for his superior craftsmanship, Roussel was a highly respected maître ébéniste of the 18th century. His furniture pieces were favoured by grand patrons such as the Prince de Condé and the Princess of Monaco...

An invaluable addition to the 19th century home, this domestic medicine chest contained nearly everything needed to nurse a member of the house...

Highly-prized coromandel, or East Indian ebony, was used to create this beautiful Victorian vitrine. Featuring delicate inlay in the Victorian/Edwardian style and glass panels framed in the equally luxurious satinwood, this cabinet is constructed to fit flush against a wall with baseboards. Elegant cabinets such as this are perfect for displaying one's treasures, but with original locks, keys, mirrors and fleur-de-lis fabric, this case is a prized possession unto itself, circa 1890. Measures: 30" wide x 14 ½" deep x 41 ½" high. Coromandel ebony is variegated brown and black, often called "streaky," wood. It is considered a highly valuable wood for turnery, fine cabinet...

Eloquent marquetry and faithful interpretation of the Louis XVI taste characterize this beautiful 19th century dressing table by Paul Sorma...

This superb mechanical desk by famed French ebeniste Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley is both an artistic and engineering achievement. A Parisian ca...

This monumental English mahogany sideboard captures the luxury of the Regency era in grand style. Crafted in the neoclassical taste, the sideboard evokes the stately forms of ancient...

This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exceptional artistry, it is a work of royal and historic significance that exudes power in each and every detail. The broken pediment at its apex features the simplified royal coat of arms bearing the king’s crown, while the interior is adorned by portraits of the British Royal Family. Placed within the ambassador’s St. Petersburg home, this entirely unique piece of furniture would have been a potent reminder of England's grandeur and political importance. Relations between England and Russia during this period were at an all-time high. Peter the Great had traveled to England in 1698 as part of his widely known “Grand Embassy” tour, wherein he attempted to gain foreign support against the Ottoman Empire. He spent a period of nearly four months there, meeting with King William III and his court on numerous occasions. Noted academic Arthur MacGregor wrote concerning the impact of the trip, “For two decades following Peter's visit, British influence in Russia reached a peak. It manifested itself in social custom, in craft practice and in ships and naval organization... it reached a significant sector of the population before relations cooled once again and the two nations pulled back from this era of unprecedented cordiality.” First and foremost, however, it is a reminder of British might and influence. By the reign of King George I, England had come into its own as a world power. Unique in its design, this cabinet is a reflection of the country’s might. It is crafted from the highest-quality solid walnut and burr walnut adorned by gilded lock plates and engraved hinges. The presence of ormolu at its apex and lining the doors was a rarity for this period, and its addition makes manifest the importance of the design. The outer doors open to reveal multiple interiors, including fifteen separate drawers around a central cupboard; the cupboard doors each bear mezzotint portraits of George I and his father, Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover. An etching after the portrait of George I dating to circa 1716 is in London’s Royal Academy. A second, inner pair of doors are adorned by mezzotints of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later Queen Caroline and George II), which are both after portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller dated 1716 in the Royal Collection. A final portrait is revealed on the very interior of the cabinet, where a mezzotint of Frederick, Anne, Amelia and Caroline, children of the Prince of Wales, resides. An etching (circa 1715-1720) after this portrait can be found in the National Portrait Gallery (London). Apart from its abundance of royal portraiture, the cabinet features stunning painted decoration, including floral designs as well as clouds, birds and trees in a bucolic motif reminiscent of Eden. Its lower portion is a study in both form and function, featuring a fitted secrétaire-drawer above three additional drawers for storage. The cabinet appears in The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture by R. Edwards from 1964, a text that is regarded as the bible of British furniture design. Edwards describes it as a “writing cabinet...given by George I to the British Ambassador at the Russian court.” The cabinet was likely made for the 18th-century German diplomat and writer Friedrich Christian Weber, who represented English interests at the Russian court from 1714 until 1719. Although Weber’s tenure as ambassador was relatively short, while in St. Petersburg, he authored his account entitled Das veraenderte Russland (The Present State of Russia), which was published in three volumes in 1721, 1739 and 1740. It may, however, also have been made for George Douglas, 2nd Earl of Dumbarton, who served as ambassador alongside Weber in 1716. Diplomatic relations ceased between the two countries in 1721. In 1928, the cabinet appeared for sale at the International Exhibition of Antiques & Works of Art in Olympia. It had previously been in the collection of the Woltner family of Bordeaux, the celebrated vintners who owned the estate Château Laville Haut-Brion and produced wine of the same name. According to the family, Monsieur Woltner was given the cabinet as a gift from an aunt who lived in Russia for many years. After leaving the Woltner collection, the cabinet was acquired by William Berry...

This rare and stunning vitrine was crafted by the illustrious French ébéniste François Linke. A master of the Louis XVI style, Linke was renowned for his highly original designs t...

This handsome library table is a remarkable example of the English furnishings that represented wealthy Victorian tastes. The piece is attributed to Holland & Sons, a firm regarded as one of the most important cabinetmakers of the era. Crafted of rich mahogany with gilt brass mounts and a tooled leather writing surface, this table characterizes the superb craftsmanship of Holland & Sons and exudes Victorian elegance. The well-known British cabinetmaking firm of Holland & Sons was considered the top of their class in their day. Found in 1803 by William Holland...

This exceptional English vitrine features the stylistic elements associated with the famed English furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, considered one of the three most influential En...

Queen Anne period furnishings such as this walnut secretary are incredibly rare and important examples of English cabinetmaking. This secretary is of the most outstanding caliber, boasting desirable double bonnet, mirrored cabinet doors...

This fine French provincial double door armoire is beautifully crafted of fine walnut. Adorned with elegant, Rococo-inspired molding and featuring exceptional well-preserved, origina...

This magnificent and important Dutch mahogany bureau bookcase, exuberantly carved and adorned with superb figural carvings, impressive scrolled feet and elaborate applied decoration....

This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...

This majestic French walnut armoire is a stunning example of the Provincial style. Standing nearly nine feet high, this rare armoire featuring splendid rocaille carvings above its do...