Cabinet
Artist
Maker unknown
Date1865-1875
MediumEbonized cherry, eastern white pine, mahogany, tulipwood, amaranth, bird's-eye maple, marquetry of various woods, gilded bronze, unidentified metal, gilding
DimensionsOverall: 87 × 52 1/4 × 20 3/8in. (221 × 132.7 × 51.8cm)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number92.40.A-H
DescriptionCABINET-ON-STAND; CABINET. Ebonized cabinet in three main sections. Stepped cornice with central, patinated copper plaque flanked by carved griffins. Middle cabinet section with central door ornamented with multi-colored marquetry panel with a drawer below. The center cabinet is flanked by two concave niches and two smaller cabinet doors on the sides of the cabinet. Base section has a bottom shelf, paneled back ornamented with burled walnut veneer, and front, columnar legs with ormolou mounts at the capitals.On View
Not on viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextThe imposing scale and high-quality workmanship of this drawing room cabinet disclosed the wealth of its owner. It is a major example from a distinctive line of Franco-American furniture made by leading New York City cabinetmakers in the 1860s. The style of the cabinet combines classical motifs (urns, swags, egg-and-dart trim, and mythological elements) with Renaissance and Baroque stylistic designs.
Color plays an important role in the overall visual effect of the cabinet. Because much of the early work with ebony (a dark, heavy, tropical hardwood) took place in France, cabinetmaking became known as ébénisterie and cabinetmakers became ébénistes. The ebonized surface (light wood stained and polished to imitate ebony) on this cabinet serves as a visual link to traditional French ébénisterie and its reputation for excellence.
