Highly decorative 19th century French Empire style vitrine or display cabinet c1870. The cabinet is of rectangular form with single glazed door to front and glazed sides. Ebony veneered to front, sides and base of cabinet. Ebonised top with ormolu mount to edge over ebony veneer above a Boulle-work frieze. Radiused front corners with ormolu mounts and inlaid Boulle panel. Brass inlaid lines to sides. Hinged front door with Boulle-worked frame and ormolu mounts to corners. Working lock and key. Raised on a shaped base with squat cabriole legs. Internally the cabinet has two adjustable shelves and has been re-lined in quality, champagne coloured velvet fabric. Original back. The cabinet measures 112 cm in height, 70 cm in width and 35 cm in depth.
Boulle-work is named after André-Charles Boulle (1642-1732) who was cabinetmaker to Louis XIV of France. Boulle perfected the inlay of tortoiseshell, brass and pewter into ebony. He followed his father and grandfather in becoming the third generation of the Boulle family engaged as cabinetmaker to the King. Over the centuries since his death, his name lives on as a descriptor for the art he perfected – today known as Boulle-work.
French Ebony and Boulle Vitrine / Display Cabinet with Ormolu Mounts c1870
This display cabinet is in excellent condition having been fully restored in our workshop to a high standard using traditional methods and materials. All Boulle-work and mounts are complete and secure. Very minor historic knocks, marks and wear as is to be expected with genuine antique furniture. Please see images as these form an important part of the description.