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Not currently on display at the V&A

Cabinet

1550-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

FRENCH (Lyonnais); second half of the 16th century.

Cabinet of carved walnut, with traces of gilding and slight inlay of composition. Among the ornament are representations of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. There is a wrought iron key.
In two stages. The upper stage has a broken pediment, with an oval shield in the middle, decorated with gilt leafy scrollwork on a black ground; it is flanked by leafy scrollwork. Below is a cupboard, with two doors carved with representations of the Wise Virgins, on shields surrounded by strapwork, with masked and other ornament. The panels of the doors and the side panels of the cabinet are flanked by terminal figures, while the surface above, below (fronts of two drawers), and on each side is carved with flat strapwork. The lower stage is similarly ornamented with representations of the Foolish Virgins and terminal figures; above each cupboard door is a drawer with a lion’s mask for a handle, and at the bottom is a moulding carved with leaves within curved bands. Inside each cupboard is a shelf. The whole rests on four feet, those in front of globular shape.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Key (Hardware)
  • Cabinet (Case Furniture)
  • Pediment Part
  • Cabinet (Case Furniture)
  • Pediment Part
Materials and techniques
walnut, carving, gilding
Brief description
Carved walnut cabinet; France, Lyon; 1550-1600
Physical description
FRENCH (Lyonnais); second half of the 16th century.

Cabinet of carved walnut, with traces of gilding and slight inlay of composition. Among the ornament are representations of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. There is a wrought iron key.
In two stages. The upper stage has a broken pediment, with an oval shield in the middle, decorated with gilt leafy scrollwork on a black ground; it is flanked by leafy scrollwork. Below is a cupboard, with two doors carved with representations of the Wise Virgins, on shields surrounded by strapwork, with masked and other ornament. The panels of the doors and the side panels of the cabinet are flanked by terminal figures, while the surface above, below (fronts of two drawers), and on each side is carved with flat strapwork. The lower stage is similarly ornamented with representations of the Foolish Virgins and terminal figures; above each cupboard door is a drawer with a lion’s mask for a handle, and at the bottom is a moulding carved with leaves within curved bands. Inside each cupboard is a shelf. The whole rests on four feet, those in front of globular shape.
Dimensions
  • Height: 222cm
  • Width: 131cm
  • Depth: 51cm
Taken from department file: H 7ft 3.5in x W 4ft 3.75in x 1ft 8in (feet and inches) H 222.25cm x W 131.44cm x 50.8cm (centimetres)
Credit line
Bequeathed by George Salting
Object history
Part of the Salting Bequest.
Historical context
Comparable cabinets
Walnut 'armoire de Clairvaux' c1570, Musée National de la Renaissance, Ecouen (ECL 20 431)
Walnut armoire 1550-1600 (Paris, Louvre OA 6254)
Collection
Accession number
W.183:1 to 5-1910

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Record createdMarch 2, 2005
Record URL
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