Antique George III Oak Specimen or Valuables Cabinet With Lion's Head Mounts

Description

With our highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional and rare late 18th century … more With our highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional and rare late 18th century collector's cabinet. This example is an absolute prize with respect to the pursuit of the finest and most unusual surviving antique treasures still in existence. Even in the late 18th century, when this piece was first made, these collector's cabinets were few and far between. The present reality in today's market of encountering similar examples of our current offering is unrealistic to say the least. We have been quite fortunate to have made friends of collector's and reputable dealers alike and we know all too well how difficult it is happen upon these choice examples. When considering how many of these cabinets were regrettably lost to time, and the fact that the present day owners of these rare surviving antiques have very little incentive to part with their own cabinets, we feel quite privileged to have even come to own this piece at all. In our pursuits of the rarest and most interesting antiques still in existence we now proudly put this cabinet forward as one of our very finest offerings.

This cabinet is a product of the late 18th century with its construction likely dating to around the years between 1780 - 1790 at the height of the George III period. The first owner of this piece would have been a wealthy patron who commissioned the work to showcase their collection of rare or valuable items. These cabinets are often referred to as specimen cabinets, when they are used to display interesting objects often of a scientific nature, curiosity cabinets when used to present oddities or what people may generalize to be called curiosities, or valuable's cabinets when intended for the presentation of personal affects. We classify this cabinet as a collector's cabinet to broaden the possibility of it being intended for any of the previously stated purposes. These cabinets can sometimes have locks, however as is the case at present, locks are not really useful since the glass could be easily broken should someone wish to loot the contents inside.
The entire case is constructed from either an English grade of oak or yew wood with the two woods being nearly identical in nature and often misattributed to each other. The showcase door is supported by the original brass hinges and when opened two scrolled storage shelves are revealed. The door features an interesting geometric fretwork design and is comprised of nine individual panes of glass that each feature pitting, bubbling, and other characteristics consistent with antique glass of the period. Each of the glass panes are secured with glazing that appears to be at least a century old yet remaining in excellent condition. The door is built with mitered corners that are secured together by exposed splines which are apparent when the door is swung open. This cabinet features a fine dental worked crown molding and accent molding around the waist and base of the case exterior. Ornamental brass mounts are affixed to the cabinet including a lion's head door pull, two lion's head mounts on either side of the case, a fascinating lion's head cabinet pull on the lower drawer, and neoclassical hairy paw lion's feet supporting the cabinet from underneath. The single drawer is dovetailed and features the original panel which demonstrates considerable signs of oxidization throughout centuries of existence. Overall this cabinet measures 15 1/2" wide x 9 3/4" deep x 20 1/4" tall. These measurements take into account that the brass feet protrude slightly from the cabinet case. less