Antique ebonised wood, ormolu and pietra dura vitrine cabinet

The cabinet is crafted from ebonised wood which is inlaid with brass and decorated with ormolu (gilt bronze) mounts. It features a wide bombé-fronted body which is set on block feet.

The cabinet’s feet are mounted with ormolu rosettes and they are linked by a shaped apron, which is decorated with ormolu floral motifs and an egg-and-dart band. The body of the cabinet is composed of a central compartment and two curved side shelves. The central compartment features two shelves which are contained behind a closed door. This door is decorated with a pietra dura (hardstone) design, depicting a bouquet of flowers and fruits, perched on by a bird. This is set within an oval ormolu wreath with crossed laurel branches below and a ribbon bow above. The door is mounted with an ormolu leaf-and-tongue border, as well as a keyhole and ormolu escutcheon. It is flanked by a pair of free-standing, cable fluted Corintahian columns with ormolu bases and capitals.

The sides of the cabinet feature curved glazed compartments, each containing three shelves. The glass doors are fitted with keyholes and ormolu escutcheons. The cabinet’s body is topped by a frieze which is mounted with an ormolu ropework border, a rinceau band composed of scrolling foliage, and rosettes. The top of the cabinet is edged with an ormolu egg-and-leaf band.