American Victorian Renaissance Revival Cabinet Nice Inlays

Description

Néo-Grec drawing room and parlor side cabinet dates to about 1866-1876.

The style of the credenza is of the type … more Néo-Grec drawing room and parlor side cabinet dates to about 1866-1876.

The style of the credenza is of the type designed and manufactured by French ébénistes who came to America - particularly New York and the Eastern Seaboard - to pursue crafting the Neoclassical Revival styles of furniture they made popular in France, Europe, and the United States in the mid-19th century, especially the Second Empire trends set by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.

Among these cabinet makers were Alexander Roux, Leon Marcotte, and August Pottier of Pottier & Stymus.

The 1848 resumed excavations of Pompeii and also of Herculaneum inspired the return to explorations of earlier Georgian era Neoclassical design. These classical architectural motifs were blended with the geometry of the Aesthetic Movement, Japonisme, Louis XVI, and the Italian Renaissance to achieve the eclectic combination of style known as Néo-Grec.

Victorian credenza and music cabinet has a shaped top with a molded edge enhanced with gilt bronze trim.

The frieze is decorated with marquetry strapwork. The bottom edge is enhanced with gilt bronze trim.

The case is made of maple wood with inlaid rosewood veneers and an ebony finish simulating Asian lacquer. The form is influenced by the Italian Renaissance credenza.

Two decorative supports are on the front of the credenza at either side of the single door cabinet at center. The supports are incised gilded and ebonized wood.

The central cabinet door is decorated with an intricate molded frame into which is set a rich marquetry panel of different exotic woods forming a bouquet of flowers. The interior of the door is paneled with birds-eye maple wood.

The inset hinges and lock are made of solid brass. The keyhole escutcheon on the door is in an openwork arabesque form.

The interior of the cabinet is paneled with maple wood and is fitted with a substantial solid maple wood removable shelf.

The concave side panels also feature rich marquetry motifs of musical instruments framed by anthemia.

Two more decorative supports are at each side back. They are incised and ebonized wood.

The base is shaped to reflect the top, has a molded top edge enhanced with gilt bronze trim, and an incised apron.

The four demi-lune feet are placed under molded top edges and feature incised decoration.

The back is framed panel constructed with an ebonized finish.

SIZE:

57" wide
18.5" deep
42.75" high

Cabinet will suit interiors incorporating style elements of Victoriana, Second Empire, Aesthetic Movement, Adam, Neoclassic, Néo-Grec, Renaissance Revival, Louis XVI, Queen Anne, and Victorian Modern Gothic.

Description Author and Photo Credits: Dawn Torres-Reyes less