Large Antwerp Cabinet, 17th Century

Exceptional large Antwerp ceremonial cabinet, with an architectural shape in ebony, red tortoiseshell, and bone from the 17th century.
The upper part opens on the front with two central doors framed by twelve drawers as well as two other drawers in the upper doucine.
The doors as well as all the drawers are decorated with red tortoiseshell cabochons in high relief in highly worked repoussé brass cartouches and highlighted by frames of fillets and guilloche moldings in ebony.
The two doors are flanked by three red tortoiseshell columns decorated with bronzes including three Corinthian capitals in gilded and chiseled bronze.
These doors open to reveal a magnificent theater in perspective whose interior draws us into a refined, highly architectural composition:
Framed by two vertical rows of four small drawers, a vaulted ceiling supports two very beautiful hanging keys in the shape of spinning tops with alternating geometric ebony decoration.
A series of six columns frame several mirrors to capture the light.
The bone and ebony checkered floor, all in perspective, guides us into the background of the theater to reveal the decor of an old residence facade, or a private mansion. This original decor leaves a slight mystery hanging, giving free rein to our imagination.
Above these two central doors, a large drawer is decorated with a colonnade with bronze balusters on a background of mirrors, flanked by urns and topped with a decoration of winged sirens framing cartouches.
The belt opens with three drawers and takes up the rich ornamentation of the facade.
The ebony sides are composed of a subtle decoration of geometric moldings in guilloche.
This very beautiful and exceptional cabinet rests on a posterior base, with eight baluster legs in blackened walnut joined by crosspieces highlighted with reserves in red tortoiseshell.
We will note the great ornamental richness of this ceremonial cabinet both in the choice of materials used (tortoiseshell, bone, ebony, etc.) and in its architecture that is at once complex, abundant and harmonious.

Dimensions
H. 193 cm x W. 149 cm x D. 48 cm

Flanders
Antwerp work
Tortoiseshell, ebony, bone, stained wood, repoussé brass, gilded and chiseled bronzes.
Period 17th century
Posterior base