Napoleon III Liquor Cabinet – Saint-louis Crystal – 19th Century

Exquisite Napoleon III Liquor Cabinet. Napoleon III Liquor Cabinet – Saint-Louis Crystal – 19th Century. This exquisite Napoleon III period liquor cabinet, dating from the 19th century, is remarkable for the quality of its craftsmanship and the richness of its materials. The case is veneered in amboyna burl, mahogany burl, ebony, and violet wood, with a mahogany interior. The lid is adorned with an elegant medallion in rosewood marquetry and engraved brass. It closes with its original brass hook lock, complete with its fully functional key, and is further secured by two clasps. The cabinet features a finely crafted, chased and gilded bronze handle. Upon opening, the cabinet reveals a complete Saint-Louis crystal service, comprising four crystal decanters, each with a numbered stopper; one stopper is not original. Sixteen crystal liqueur glasses with original cut decoration. The set is remarkably homogeneous and in excellent condition. Period: 19th century. Dimensions: H. 27 × W. 32 × D. 25 cm. Condition: excellent, lock and key in perfect working order. Historical Note: In the mid-19th century, the popularity of liqueurs and evolving social customs led cabinetmakers to create these elegant portable liqueur cabinets, veritable display pieces that were opened for serving. A typically French specialty, the liqueur cabinet quickly became an essential element of bourgeois lifestyle, often given as a wedding gift. The finest models could be personalized with monograms or coats of arms. True testaments to the French art of living, these Napoleon III cabinets are now among the most sought-after objects for collectors of 19th-century decorative arts.