A 17th C. Italian (milano) Ebony And Ivory Inlaid Cabinet

Precious travel cabinet
in veneer and inlays of Macassar ebony and ivory.
Milanese work (Lombardy) from the beginning of the 17th century
Dimensions: h. 36 cm l. 45.5 cm, p. 30cm

The fall front reveals a series of eight drawers, the lower row constituting a single drawer, and in the center a small door revealing a niche with two drawers. The interior drawers use a system to hide a secret drawer. The compartment removes completely and reveals the three secret drawers.
Each drawer as well as the interior of the flap is decorated with ivory plaques presenting facing birds. They are fitted with silvered bronze pull buttons in the shape of a lion's mouth.
The door is decorated with a large ivory plaque decorated with an allegory of justice.
The exterior of the fall front receives a careful decoration of arabesques, volutes, flowers, stylized birds in ebony on an ivory background. The large central ivory plaque illustrates a hunting scene.
This alternation of marquetry in part and in return brings a sophisticated touch to the whole.
The sides and tops are in ebony veneer and inlaid with ivory fillets, all forming rectangles.
The silvered bronze carrying handles are formed by stylized lion mouths biting the two dolphins.
The cabinet rests on four claw feet in silvered bronze.

Very good condition

Cabinets with similar decor can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and Museum of Decorative Arts, Milan