A French Two-part Wooden Cabinet With Mother-of-pearl Inlay. Gabriel Viardot, Paris19th Century

An important two-part cabinet in fine wood, enriched with exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay and attributed to the workshop of Gabriel Viardot (Paris, second half of the 19th century), one of the foremost exponents of the Japonisant style in French cabinetmaking. The cabinet is conceived with a rigorous architectural structure, resting on a base supported at the front by two powerful lions carved in high relief, which serve as monumental supports. The lower section is fitted with two doors decorated with panels bearing Chinese characters. The upper section is arranged around a large central door, lavishly ornamented with mother-of-pearl inlay depicting floral motifs, birds, and decorative reserves, centred by a boldly carved qilong in high relief. On either side are elegant open shelves and small cupboards with pierced shelves and additional inlaid panels. The superstructure is surmounted by an openwork gallery with key-fret decoration and crowned by a finely carved central qilong. This cabinet is an outstanding example of the work of Gabriel Viardot, the celebrated Parisian cabinetmaker who, from the 1860s onwards, masterfully reinterpreted Chinese and Japanese furniture forms, producing exceptional pieces for the most discerning European clientele. Its remarkable craftsmanship, refined carving, and richly detailed mother-of-pearl inlay exemplify the sophisticated Orientalist taste that flourished in the decorative arts of late nineteenth-century France.

39,37in x 17,52in h:71,85in

Provenance
Private Collection

Imperfections.