Very large ormolu mounted malachite display cabinet

This magnificent ormolu (gilt bronze) mounted malachite vitrine, or display cabinet, is exceptionally large. The cabinet features two tiers: the lower, shorter but deeper tier containing a single glass shelf, and the upper, taller but shallower tier containing two glass shelves. The cabinet features two sides, each one a symmetrical mirror of the other, and encompasses a total of four bays.

The cabinet is wrought from exquisite malachite and is mounted with an assemblage of classicising ormolu elements. Each glass pane is encompassed by ormolu beading, while the four keyholes that secure each pair of the eight doors are finished with ormolu escutcheons. The lower tier is mounted below with an ormolu foliate frieze and above with an ormolu frieze incorporating arabesque motifs. Each of the three pillars that define the cabinet architecturally—one on each side and one in the centre—features ormolu foliate swags and beading. The upper tier is similarly decorated, though the ormolu frieze below the entablature is impressively large and ornate, containing sprigs of laurel and classical profile portrait medallions. The large entablature of the cabinet is supported by three ormolu scrolls and topped by an ormolu cornice.

The cabinet is fully lighted internally, as evidenced by the included photographs. The photographs also demonstrate the use to which such a cabinet may be put, housing a variety of antique objects and displaying them to their absolute best.