A fine Dutch Louis XVI sideboard or "klapbuffet"

Overall inlaid with various bands, canted rectangular hinged top opening to two hinged shelves, enclosing a removable zinc liner and foutain and two hinged shelves to each side, two drawers and two doors below, each centred by a lacquer panel depicting a bird, enclosing one shelf, on four square tapering legs terminating in gilt-brass toupie feet.
The limited space in some Dutch townhouses often required metamorphic furniture, with fold-over tops, or space-saving tambour cupboards. This Klapbuffet, was an important innovation: the top of the commode lifting, allowing fitted shelves to drop down for the setting-up of tea for entertaining. Sometimes they are seen with basin-holes for washing after tea ceremony.