Not currently on display at the V&A

Cabinet

1600-1650 (made)

Cabinet of pine and oak, veneered with tortoiseshell, wood partly ebonized and ivory. The inside of the cupboard is enriched with mirrors, painted panels and marquetry. The mounts are partly of brass and partly of gilt copper repoussé. The whole rests on a stand of carved and blackened wood. In the centre of the front is a cupboard closed by two hinged doors, which, including a drawer above and another below, form an architectural design composed of three brass terminal figures supporting a cornice surmounted by broken pediment. The pediment is decorated with a shaped and pierced panel of gilt copper repoussé in the centre, consisting of a blank cartouche surrounded by a shell, two cornucopias and floral scrollwork. On each side is a reclining female figure holding a cornucopia. The cupboard is surrounded by twelve drawers, decorated as follows: one forms the pediment, one the base of the central design with two panels each with a raised rectangular centre, eight have each an oval boss, and two each two plain panels. The interior of the cupboard represents a room with eight mirrors in groups of two, separated by painted panels and gilt twisted columns. The floor is a mosaic of ivory, tortoiseshell and ebonized wood, and the ceiling is painted with IHS amid four cherub’s heads. The sides of the cabinet and the insides of the cupboard doors are covered with rectangular panelling outlined by ivory, the latter having each a rosette in the centre. Above and below are projecting waved mouldings. Eight drawers and the cupboard doors have spring locks. The stand consists of four tapering fluted and reeded legs, joined above by three deep openwork rails, and below by six curved rails, carved with guilloche and fluted ornament, and meeting in the centre.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 14 parts.

  • Keys
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Drawer
  • Cabinet
Materials and techniques
Pine, oak, tortoiseshell, ebony, ivory, copper, carving
Brief description
Flemish, 1600-1650, tortoiseshell, ebony, ivory
Physical description
Cabinet of pine and oak, veneered with tortoiseshell, wood partly ebonized and ivory. The inside of the cupboard is enriched with mirrors, painted panels and marquetry. The mounts are partly of brass and partly of gilt copper repoussé. The whole rests on a stand of carved and blackened wood. In the centre of the front is a cupboard closed by two hinged doors, which, including a drawer above and another below, form an architectural design composed of three brass terminal figures supporting a cornice surmounted by broken pediment. The pediment is decorated with a shaped and pierced panel of gilt copper repoussé in the centre, consisting of a blank cartouche surrounded by a shell, two cornucopias and floral scrollwork. On each side is a reclining female figure holding a cornucopia. The cupboard is surrounded by twelve drawers, decorated as follows: one forms the pediment, one the base of the central design with two panels each with a raised rectangular centre, eight have each an oval boss, and two each two plain panels. The interior of the cupboard represents a room with eight mirrors in groups of two, separated by painted panels and gilt twisted columns. The floor is a mosaic of ivory, tortoiseshell and ebonized wood, and the ceiling is painted with IHS amid four cherub’s heads. The sides of the cabinet and the insides of the cupboard doors are covered with rectangular panelling outlined by ivory, the latter having each a rosette in the centre. Above and below are projecting waved mouldings. Eight drawers and the cupboard doors have spring locks. The stand consists of four tapering fluted and reeded legs, joined above by three deep openwork rails, and below by six curved rails, carved with guilloche and fluted ornament, and meeting in the centre.
DimensionsFrom catalogue (HWD): 5 ft. 5 in. x 4 ft. 9 in. x 1 ft. 7 in. (165 x 145 x 48cm)
Object history
Given by Sir E. Durning-Lawrence.

The stand for this piece was put forward for consideration by a Board of Survey in 1939 (Registered Papers 39/446 on VA Policy Files 200-1) for de-accessioning on the grounds that it was 'Unsuitable for display with the cabinet'. It was de-accessioned and sold at Stevens's Auction Rooms, King Street, Covent Garden, on 6 June 1939, lot 85, with a pair of stands.
Collection
Accession number
637:14-1901

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 29, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest