17th Century Ebony Marquetry Cabinet

Rare Italian cabinet from the 17th century, ebony and ivory marquetry, naturalist decor, exotic birds, birds from mythology and grotesques run through the drawers of this collector's piece of furniture. The flap is also inlaid, on the outside, two panels present in their center scroll patterns such as a carpet, bordered with friezes, on the inside, two medallions, one with a face in profile, perhaps that of the sponsor, and the other with a half human half animal creature. The bronze corner reinforcements decorated with openwork scrolls date from after the period of the cabinet. The fashion for cabinets of curiosities developed from the 16th century. Precious container of protected knowledge, they were used to store collections of excavated objects, minerals, ancient coins, scientific and optical instruments, and more generally everything related to knowledge, a kind of Google of the time. Objects placed as decoration on the cabinet are not included in the price and may be the subject of a specific offer. The glasses are contemporary creations by designer Borek Sipek.