19th Century French Cabinet, Napoleon III Period

FRENCH CABINET MOUNTED IN EBONIZED BRONZE AND PIETRA DURA Empire style cabinet in gilded bronze and Pietra dura from the 19th century. Napoleon III cabinet in gilded ebony veneer in the Second Empire style by . In the 19th century, the Empire style imposed itself in the years 1800 to 1815 and constituted the second phase of neoclassicism. Many of the textures on the cabinet also exhibit the symmetry of neoclassicism. This style embodies classical Greco-Roman art, which focused on simplicity and balance, as well as the eclectic style of Napoleon III's architecture and decorative arts. The top of the cabinet is in Carrara marble. The cabinet is veneered in French polish on the outside, which is black, adorned with gilt mounts, friezes and parquetry. A very salient motif that reigns over this cabinet are anthemia-patterned acanthus leaves. The edges, the front panels of the doors and the 2 front feet are all adorned with golden acanthus motifs. The front corners of the cabinet contain a bust sculpture of a woman embedded in the pillar - a caryatid, which represents either the priestesses of Artemis in Caryae, or the women of Caryae, condemned to hard labor because the city is on the side of the Persians. in the Greco-Persian War. The 2-door cabinet both contain cartouche-style crests where the key passes, the frame edges and embellishments are carved in gilt bronze, while the front panels are decorated with polychrome floral designs. The flower vases visible on the front are made with the Pietra dura technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images. The stones used in this piece are such as marble, enamel, green onyx as well as semi-precious stones. The image features cherries, mirabelle plums and flowers, which embellishes the cabinet with bright and unique colors. At the base are 4 oval legs and in the space between the front legs, where the apron resides, is a gilt bronze mount made with acanthus leaves and an anthemia motif.