Large 17th Century Cabinet

Cabinet and its base in ebony, tortoiseshell veneer, blackened wood, ivory and bronze, on the theme of the imaginary adventures of the Knight DON QUIXOTE de la MANCHE. Funds and structures are mostly in oak. The upper part is surmounted by a bronze balustrade, presenting in its center a high pediment with capital, including family coat of arms, topped by a variegated crest in profile. The perimeter is decorated with a background of red tortoiseshell, encrusted with garlands of flowers, arabesques, masks and fantastic animals in ivory. The architectural facade is made up of 3 + 3 stacked drawers, arranged on either side of the tabernacle door. This reveals a theater lined with mirrors framed by 7 columns, on which rests a sky in cabochons plated with tortoiseshell. The floor is inlaid with a checkerboard in perspective, made of exotic wood. On the fronts of the drawer and the tabernacle, on a red tortoiseshell background, are encrusted engraved ivory plaques representing the imaginary scenes of the Knight DON QUIXOTE de la MANCHE. The cabinet is supported by 8 blackened wooden balls held by bronze claws. Second half of the 17th century. Origin: Spain.