Pair of Napoleon III hardstone and ebonised wood pedestal cabinets

This pair of matching pedestal cabinets was crafted in 19th century France.

Each one is made from ebonised wood, ormolu (gilt-bronze) and hardstone. Most surfaces on these eye-catching pedestal cabinets are inlaid with brass detailing.

The lockable cabinet door is adorned with a polychrome hardstone design. An upside down floral and fruit composition tied together with a marigold-coloured ribbon is mounted on the ebonised wood door. Red, green, and deep maroon cherries as well as lily of the valley flowers are beautifully depicted. The hardstone artwork is framed in a gilt bronze border.

Both sides of the front panel are mounted with ormolu female busts, their heads adorned with feather headdresses and bodies ornamented with s-scroll and acanthus leaves detailing. Intricately cast ormolu mounts also decorate other parts of the pieces, shining bring on top of the ebonised wood.

The pedestal cabinets are topped by flat, white marble surfaces, framed in an elegant ormolu border, creating a superb display space for other decorative objects of choice.

Standing on four bracket feet, each cabinet is a display of a variety of cabinetmaking and decorative techniques popular in 19th century France.