A Dutch mother-of-pearl inlaid parcel-gilt and japanned cabinet on stand, circa 1700. Photo Sotheby's
the overhanging cornice above a cushion moulded frieze decorated with chinoserie figure in landscapes with birds above a pair of cupboard doors, the right door depicting pagodas and figures, the left door a junk, the mother-of-pearl simulating gilt-metal clasps and hinges opening to reveal two shelves and two drawers, the drawers and inside of the doors decorated with birds, trees and pagodas, the sides similary decorated with birds and a hound amongst foliage, the rectangular stand with two freize drawers; 187cm high, 152cm wide, 57cm deep; 6ft. 1¾in., 4ft. 11¾in., 1ft. 10½in. Estimate 50,000-70,000 GBP
Comparative Literature:
Bulletin van het Rijksmuseum, 1986, no. 4, p. 258, fig.1. inv. Nr. 1985.25.
Reinier Baarsen, Nederlaandse Meubelen 1600-1800, Amsterdam, 1993, p. 64-65, no. 29.
NOTE: There is a cabinet in the Rijksmuseum stated to be North Netherlandisch of almost identical form with very similar decoration of a sailing vessel on the left door and pagodas on the right door, (sold Sotheby’s, Monaco 23rdand 24th June 1985, lot 720), which subsequently entered the collection of the Museum, reproduced here in fig. 1.This and the offered cabinet are extremely close in terms of decoration with another cabinet which was sold Christie’s, London, 6th July 2006, lot 81, described as probably Paris.The latter cabinet is similarly decorated on the central door with a sailing boat although of different form with ten mother-of-pearl inlaid drawers flanking the door. All these cabinets probably originated from the same workshop. The decoration with the mother-of-pearl inlay is in imitation of the highly regarded Japanese lacquer such as the typical nambamwork. The delightful detail on this cabinet is the mother-of-pearl inlay imitating gilt-brass mounts normally found upon Japanese lacquer cabinets. Apparently in the Musée de la Musique in Paris there is a French late 17th century harpsichord which is in its original japanned case and it is felt that it is by the same hand as the cabinet sold at auction at Christie's, hence the French attribution for their cabinet.
Sotheby's. Arts of Europe. London | 10 Jul 2013, 02:00 PM www.sothebys.com