Ormolu mounted kingwood vernis Martin antique side cabinet

Typical of Louis XV style furniture, this kingwood side cabinet is of bombé form (with a rounded front and sides). The cabinet stands on four splayed legs, which terminate in ormolu (gilt bronze) leafy scrolled feet. These legs are linked by a shaped apron, the front of which is mounted with an ormolu foliate motif.

The cabinet’s body is mounted with beautiful vernis Martin (imitation lacquer) panels. The front panel depicts a young shepherdess and a courting couple in an Italianate landscape. This serves as a door which opens to reveal a compartment with two shelves. The vernis Martin panels on the sides extend the view of this idealised, Claudian landscape. The cabinet’s frieze features a central drawer which is decorated with a vernis Martin image of two cherubs in flight, holding a flower garland between them. Vernis Martin panels, depicting collections of musical instruments, are mounted onto the sides of the frieze. The vernis Martin panels on the cabinet are indistinctly signed. They are contained within ormolu reed-and-leaf frames, and the door and drawer feature ormolu keyholes and keys.

Ormolu espagnolette (female bust) sculptures with leafy trails are mounted onto the upper corners of the front of the cabinet. The cabinet’s flat top is covered with variegated white and red marble.