19th Century French Louis XVI Style Display Cabinet or Bookcase in Rosewood & Satin Birch

Description

A magnificent example of 19th century French Decorative Arts. The vitrine is pure opulence and has had no expense spared, … more A magnificent example of 19th century French Decorative Arts. The vitrine is pure opulence and has had no expense spared, with exotic decoration and materials used from top to bottom.
The exterior is figured rosewood with delicate brass inlay, profusely decorated with shell and medallion, large scrolls and leaves, egg-sans-dart frieze, barley twists, brass inlay, fluting and stringing, using four exclusive timbers: rosewood, satin birch, Plane/Lacewood and boxwood.
The interior is fully lined in satin birch with three adjustable shelves – the edges of which are lipped in rosewood with boxwood stringing, above a slim satin birch drawer with rosewood stringing all secure behind a glazed door with lock and key.
Beneath the vitrine is a lockable drawer with inner sliding lid lined in Plane wood and beneath this a low hidden frieze drawer – it’s worth noting that even the top of the drawer boxes are finished in rosewood!
The piece was obviously made for a very important interior scheme at a time when great craftsmanship and an abundance of money enabled the production of this absolute masterpiece.

There are a few small areas of damage and previous repairs; the shell at the top, and lifting of the brass inlay, and small areas of missing trim as shown in the last images. This piece is designed in the style of the selected designer and/or manufacturer less