Walnut Table Cabinet, English, circa 1670

As the 16th century precursors to museums, ‘Wunderkammer’ or ‘cabinets of curiosity’ collected and categorized objects of interest to a specific subject be it geology, ethnography, anthropology, etc for preservation and categorization. In the original terminology ‘cabinet’ did not mean a simple piece of furniture but designated an entire room, which is why these cabinets were originally maintained by the mercantile or aristocratic classes. In modern architecture, our specific interest, the ‘Wunderkammer’ brings to mind European post-war housing projects such as Le Corbusier’s Unite d’Habitation projects or the housing units at Pessac with individuals inhabiting individual apartments made specific by containing the personal artifacts of those occupying them and amassed as a single building. This miniature...

A fine example of a diminutive burled walnut vargueno, collector or valuables cabinet, with molded cornice and drop front, opening to a multi-drawer ...

A middle of the 19th century mahogany table cabinet. The cabinet has panels of birds eye maple and the door and side panels have ebony beading. The interior has two short drawe...

A charming satin and rosewood, ebony and teak collectors’ table-cabinet Sri Lanka, second half of the 18th century Measures: H. 86.5 x W. 62.5 x D. 34.7 cm In the top of the shaped cornice, there is a carving of a butterfly or moth. Under the cornice two panelled doors with scorched chequered motif, and under the doors one long drawer. When the doors are locked, so is the drawer. Behind the two doors, there are eight drawers, suitable to store small collectors’ items, such as a coin collection, or mineral specimens, small shells, collections of animal teeth, etc. The 17th and 18th centuries saw a wide-spread interest in exotic cultures and collecting of botanical, zoological and geological specimens...

A wonderful handmade craftsman's jewelry cabinet. Beautifully constructed out of mahogany and a secondary wood I can't identify. It has drawers lined...

Rare table top jewelry case / cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Signed with the brass Dunbar metal tag. Walnut case and brass pulls. Two drawers...