Ebony Table Cabinet With Silver Foil Interior, Antwerp, 17th Century, Circa 1650

Ebony Table Cabinet With Silver Foil Interior

Antwerp, 17th Century, circa 1625-1650

Maximum outer dimensions:
Width: 24.8 cm
Height: 20 cm
Depth: 16.5 cm

Provenance: private collection, The Netherlands

A charming Antwerp mid-17thcentury ebony, silver foil, gilded bronze and mirror table or jewelry cabinet, with turned columns to the corners, the fall front opens to reveal a set of drawers and a mirrored inside lid. The box has a secret hidden compartment in the top, revealed by the sliding lid, which can be unlocked by unscrewing the left ornamental screw on the inside of the lid.

The cabinet is inlaid with fine engraved silver plaques with ornamental patterns and scenes from the Old Testament story of Joseph. These cabinets are thought to be marriage presents from a husband to a wife, in which she would keep her precious objects.

Literature: Ria Fabi, Zuid-Nederlandse Pronkmeubels, 1989.

Condition: very good condition. The silver plaques with some damages as seen in the photos.