Pair Of French Napoleon III Corner Cabinets With Raised Tops, Decorated In The Chinoiserie Style

An elegant pair of French corner cabinets from the Napoleon III period, second half of the 19th century, featuring refined polychrome chinoiserie decoration on an ebonized black background.

The corner cabinets feature a polygonal structure, with surfaces in ebonized and black-lacquered wood, richly decorated with Oriental-style motifs depicting flowers, branches, birds, landscapes, architectural elements, and naturalistic motifs.

The painted decoration is further enhanced by refined decorative brass inlays, particularly prominent along the edges of the tops, which lend elegance and sophistication to the pieces as a whole.

The upper section is crowned by a striking, sculpted, and dynamically shaped apron—also decorated in the chinoiserie style—which accentuates the pieces’ remarkable visual presence.

Inside, the corner cabinets are lined with rosewood, featuring beautiful grain patterns and warm tones that create a refined contrast with the black exterior. The original locks are present, adding further interest and authenticity.

The pair retains a remarkable decorative richness, with the normal signs of age and use consistent with the period.

Period: Napoleon III, second half of the 19th century
Provenance: France
Materials: ebonized and black-lacquered wood, painted chinoiserie decoration, decorative inlaid brass trim, rosewood interiors
Dimensions of each corner cabinet: 40 × 40 cm
Height of the piece: 115 cm
Total height with top: 153 cm
Type: pair of French corner cabinets with top

An important pair of decorative pieces, particularly representative of the Napoleon III taste for chinoiserie and the combination of black surfaces, polychrome decoration, brass, and fine woods