Large Antwerp Cabinet, 17th Century

Exceptional Antwerp ceremonial cabinet of large dimensions, with an architectural form in ebony, red tortoiseshell, bone and ivory from the 17th century.
The upper part opens in front by two central doors framed by twelve drawers as well as two other drawers in the upper cove.
The doors and all the drawers are adorned with red tortoiseshell cabochons in high relief in very ornate embossed brass cartouches and underlined by ivory fillet frames and ebony guilloché moldings.
The two doors are flanked by three columns in red tortoiseshell decorated with bronzes, including three Corinthian capitals in gilded and chased bronze.
These doors open to discover a magnificent theater in perspective, the interior of which takes 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 geometric decoration of ivory alternated with ebony.
A series of six columns frame several mirrors to capture the light.
The checkered floor in bone, ivory and ebony, all in perspective, guides us in the background of the theater to make us discover the decor of the facade of an old residence, or a private mansion. This original decor lets a light mystery hover, giving free rein to our imagination.
Above these two central doors, a large drawer is adorned with a colonnade with bronze balusters on a background of mirrors, flanked by urns and surmounted by 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 guillochage.
This very beautiful and exceptional cabinet rests on a rear base, with eight blackened walnut baluster legs joined by crosspieces underlined with red tortoiseshell reserves surrounded by ivory fillets.
Note the great ornamental richness of this ceremonial cabinet both in the choice of materials used (tortoiseshell, bone, ivory, ebony...) and in its complex, abundant and harmonious architecture.

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

Flanders
Antwerp work
Tortoise shell, ebony, ivory, bone, tinted wood, embossed brass, gilded and chiseled bronzes.
17th century
Rear base