Ormolu mounted and brass inlaid marquetry ebonised wood sideboard

This wonderful side cabinet was manufactured in France around 1870 and features an array of luxurious ornamentation.

The top is mounted with a beautiful maroon-coloured marble top with rich, naturally occurring veining. Below is an ormolu frieze cast in the bead and reel motif and underneath it are two central doors. Both are inset with a quarter veneered and banded marquetry floral panels. A variety of flowers and foliage are executed in numerous wood types adding depth to the two panels.  

Between the marquetry panels, applied on the ebonised wood are several ormolu mounts. The four corners around both doors are adorned with corner mounts, while the central column between the two doors features a crowned classical goddess mask with flowers hanging below. The doors are lockable and open to reveal two shelves. The ormolu escutcheon surrounding the keyhole is richly ornamented and complements the rest of the design.

The piece is flanked by two convex end bays, each with one shelf. All shelves are inset with a quarter veneered and straight banded tablets. Similarly to the piece’s doors, the marquetry panels are framed in an elegant ormolu border. To complement the ormolu mounts, variously sized strips of brass, often dainty and elegant, are inlaid into the wood adding further details and textures to this French furniture piece.

Below the storage compartments is a plinth base mounted with rosette shapes centred by a scrolled acanthus shaped cartouche. Four ormolu mounted bun feet support the furniture piece.

Combining numerous furniture-making techniques, the cabinetmakers created an exquisite furniture piece, one which is sure to grab attention and complement other decorative features inside one’s interior.