Two-section Recessed Sideboard. Rare Apothecary Cabinet From The Late 16th To Early 17th Century

Sideboardtwo-partRareperiod apothecary cabinet from the late 16th to early 17th century, Loire Valley·
General structure: This is a piece of furniture made ofsolid walnut, constructed in two stacked sections, in the style of a two-section sideboard. It features a highly symmetrical design, defined by thickarchitectural moldings and crowned by a prominent cornice withdentils. ·

The lower section:
The base of the cabinet opens with twolarge doors. These doors are adorned with geometric panels in high relief,carved around a central octagonal motif. The reverse side of these doors reveals atraditional joinery assembly framing the octagon, as well as anantique metal skeleton lock mechanism. Just above these doors aretwo wide drawers fitted with circular metal handles.
Flutedvertical pilasters frame and separate the sections of this front.

The upper section:
Set back from the lower cabinet,this section rests on an intermediate level featuring three smalldrawers with thick, refined moldings. Two discreet pull tabs arelocated beneath the two end drawers. The upper front is centeredaround a large square central door with a period skeleton lock,richly carved with a large radiating circular motif (in the shape of a rosette ora sun).
This central door is flanked by two narrower side doors(with rear-mounted locks), decorated with rectangular molded panels.

Interior layout:
Opening these upper side doorsreveals the cabinet’s function as an apothecary cabinet.
Behind the doorsare rows of small, stacked storage drawers.
The front ofeach of these small drawers is accented by dark moldings forming an“X” pattern, with a small knob placed in the center.
Dimensions Total height 203 cm Widthat the bottom baseboard 155 cm Depthat the bottom 63 cm; at the top 49 cm