18th Century Italian Marquetry Raised Cabinet

Description

18th Century Italian Marquetry Raised Cabinet is a remarkable example of Old World craftsmanship with surprisingly modernistic and abstract qualities! … more 18th Century Italian Marquetry Raised Cabinet is a remarkable example of Old World craftsmanship with surprisingly modernistic and abstract qualities! Commissioned by a patron with the initials CST, it features geometric designs created by the positioning and orientation of different species of woods. Called trompe l'oeuil by the French, or "fool the eye", some of the designs appear to be three dimensional. The forms on the cabinet doors are especially intriguing, as are those on the full width drawer. Dentil trim appears below the bold crown molding, and the entire cabinet is set upon turned legs in front and timber legs at the rear which also support a full width lower shelf. Designed to hold prized items like tobacco, tea, or fine liquor, the cabinets were kept locked at all times. Note the pegged mortise & tenon construction, plus the hand-hewn planks that form the back side.
Circa 1780s
Measures 50H x 31.5W x 15D less