Antique Dutch Walnut Marquetry Display Cabinet c.1780

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Antique Dutch Walnut Marquetry Display Cabinet c.1780

About the Item

This is a stunning antique Dutch marquetry display cabinet circa 1780 in date. It has been accomplished in burr walnut with exquisite hand-cut marquetry of flowers, birds and urns, made from various exotic veneers and ivory, set into ebonised panels. The pair of top doors enclose full width shelves which provide abundant space to exhibit your finest display pieces while the four capacious drawers below provide ample storage space, and the drawer linings are of solid oak. In between the four drawers are a small pair of doors that open to reveal two small drawers and a small cupboard, useful for storing small items safely. In truly remarkable condition for its age, it stands on six beautiful tapered legs united by cross stretchers. The handles are original. This exceptional piece represents a fantastic example of antique Dutch cabinetry at its finest. Condition: In excellent condition hav ing been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 238 x Width 223 x Depth 43 Dimensions in inches: Height 7 feet, 10 inches x Width 7 feet, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot, 5 inches Walnut The Walnut woods are probably the most recognisable and popular of all the exotic woods, having been used in furniture making for many centuries. Walnut veneer was highly priced and the cost would reflect the ‘fanciness’ of the veneer – the more decorative, then the more expensive and desirable. Figured Walnut and Burr Walnut (often referred to as Burl Walnut) were considered as the most attractive varieties of Walnut. Burr Walnut veneer was taken from the specific part of the tree where ‘growths’ sprouting smaller branches and/ or roots would occur. As these ‘growth’ areas were limited in both occurrence and size, larger veneers were hard to source and often on bigger furniture (tables, desks, bureaus, cabinets etc), these veneers would have to be carefully joined by matching up the pieces or blending them together. Marquetry is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, mother of pearl, pewter, brass silver or shell) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers. The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique. Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing tortoiseshell and brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs. Oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus - Latin "oak tree" having approximately 600 extant species. Oak wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm3, great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quartersawn. Oak wood is very durable, easy to maintain and resistant to wear and tear which is why it can be easily handed to the next generations if taken well care of. Oak wood virtually lasts forever and you can still admire oak furniture in museums and palaces even if it was made many centuries ago. Oak has been prized since the Middle Ages for use in interior panelling of prestigious buildings such as the debating chamber of the House of Commons in London and in the construction of fine furniture. Our reference: 06164w

Place of Origin:
Netherlands
Period:
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
c.1780
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU95061642062