Mughal Ivory Inlaid Wood Cabinet, 17th Century

Cerberus Black painted stone Italy, 17th century Measures: 80 x 69 x 36cm (one head missing) Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange, Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog Over the multitude immers'd beneath. His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard, His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs Piecemeal disparts (Dante, Inferno, Canto VI). Cerberus figure seated, in his role of ferocious guardian of the underworld; he shows a nervous musculature, an adherent skin which reveals the ribs, long and robust limbs; his heads are broad and the eyes set well apart. Painted in black to amplify his menacing look, the infernal guardian is depicted with his famous attributes, writhing his heads, growling and barking furiously. Cerberus, in Greek mythology, was the monstrous watchdog of the underworld – also known as the “hound of Hades” – preventing the dead from leaving, and making sure that those who entered never left. A child of Typhon and Echidna, he was part of a monstrous family, which included Orthus, the Lernaean Hydra, and the Chimaera as well. Only on three occasions Cerberus was tricked by visitors of Hades: Heracles did it with his strength, Orpheus with his music. In "The Inferno", Dante places Cerberus as the guardian of the third circle of Hell. With his three mouths, Dante saw Cerberus as a beast that was synonymous with the sin of Gluttony. Virgil gets past the monster by throwing mud in his three mouths, temporarily choking him. Very rare are the representations of Cerberus in ancient statuary...

Marble lion white marble France, probably Périgord, 17th century Small marble lion wearing a coat of arms pendant with the engraved date, ...

Italian Memento Mori skull Marble North of Italy, 17th century H 9 x L 7 x P 14 cm At the turn of the 16th century, they were the height of fashi...

A Captive Soldier Gilt Bronze, Lost Wax Italie (Rome), 17th century H 17 x Dia 10 cm H 6 2/3 x Dia 4 inch The 17th century witnessed a flourishing of artistic expression across Eur...

Pair of beautifully carved wooden chairs Lombardy, first half of 17th century H 86 x L 48 x P 43 cm Pair of “da balia” (nanny) chairs. The backrest is decorated with winged myt...

Turned, engraved and openwork box Fruit wood Florence, 17th century Measures: Diameter 11cm Height 4.4cm.  

TABLE COUNTER Mughal Influence, 17th century 17th century Lusíada, part of Mughal influence. In teak wood with inlaid ivories. With three drawers simulating four. Age defect...

Beautiful 17th century travel cabinet made in marquetry of ivory and ebony. This piece was made in Italy, probably in north of the country, in Lomba...

What a wonderful piece, full of character with the ornaments at the base and the putties carved in the wood.

Important antique Italian Louis XIV period cabinet 1680s in walnut wood. Rafined Inlaid decoration on each side. On the front in the upper part six small drawers and a small central ...

Flemish casket-bin, 17th century In walnut wood and ebonized. Nine drawers with painted mirror fronts. 38 x 73.5 x 30 cm. good condition.

Impressive Dutch Renaissance "kussenkast", four-door cabinet. Solid oakwood with veneer. large corniche with carved heads decor. Raised panelled doors and sides with ripple mouldings...