A 17th Century Italian (lombardy) Ebony And Ivory Inlaid Cabinet

Travelling cabinet in Macassar ebony veneer and ivory.
Early 17th century Milanese work (Italy)
Dimensions: h. 42,5 cm, w. 54 cm, p. 35cm

This precious cabinet opens with a drop-front revealing a series of eight drawers, the bottom row forming a single drawer, and in the center a small door opening onto a niche with two drawers.
The interior drawers, thanks to an ingenious mechanism, conceal a secret drawer.
Each drawer, as well as the interior of the drop-front, is decorated with ivory marquetry of stylized griffins, birds, and peacocks within foliate scroll frames. They are fitted with bronze pull knobs in the form of lion heads biting rings.
The exterior of the drop-front features a refined decoration of arabesques, scrolls, flowers, and stylized birds in ivory on an ebony ground. The central panel depicts a mythological scene.
The sides and top are veneered in ebony and inlaid with ivory stringing, forming rectangles. The carrying handles are formed by stylized grotesque heads, while the hinged section features a lion's head at its center.
Openwork brass spandrels are positioned at the corners of the cabinet.
Very good original condition.
Similar cabinets are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Milan.