17th Century Italian Renaissance Era Milanese Ebony Rosewood Bone Ivory Inlaid Antique Table Cabinet of Curiosities Jewelry Chest

Details

Description

A scarce nearly 400 year old fine quality Italian Lombard ebony rosewood bone and ivory tabletop curiosity cabinet. circa 1650

… Read more A scarce nearly 400 year old fine quality Italian Lombard ebony rosewood bone and ivory tabletop curiosity cabinet. circa 1650

Milan, Lombardy region of Northern Italy, dating to the early to mid 17th century.

Nothing evokes the Renaissance era better than these small table cabinets with their refined decorations, extraordinary workmanship, and rare exotic luxurious materials. Precious objects, the cabinet itself has become a jewel, highly prized and shrouded in mystery, they illustrate the epitome of refinement, elegance, and sophistication, showcasing the very finest quality craftsmanship, skilled workmanship, and highly specialized artistic inlay work of the 17th century

Exceptionally executed handcrafted Milanese work, this most precious table cabinet stands out for having such detailed and elaborate engraving work, as well as the exhibition style open-chest rectangular box form, elaborately decorated, featuring visually striking contrasting hand carved and engraved natural bone and ivory filets, marquetry plaques and banding. The dovetailed walnut open-front rectangular case veneered in exotic ebony and rosewood precious woods, fitted with seven drawers including a lower row with three simulated drawer-fronts constituting a single drawer, surrounding a central door opening to reveal niche compartment topped with a pair of small drawers that thanks to an ingenious system allow access to a concealed secret drawer and hidden shelved compartment!

Extensively engraved inlays, stylized scrolling foliate rinceaux arabesque marquetry, blackened ebonized wood trim, affixed with the original ironwork and hardware, including steel ace of spade strap hinges and lock, intricate bronze pierced scrolled openwork spandel corner brackets, and ornate patinated brass lion mask drop-ring pulls, the case with visible dovetail joinery to the top, large framed diamond inlay to the flanks, unfinished verso, all raised on tall turned onion bun feet.

- PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION:

Property from the Collection of Frederick H. Schrader.

Who acquired it from:
Tom Stansbury Antiques, Newport Beach, California;

Acquired from the above owner through the highly reputable auction house Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas. 2025 April 17 Sophisticated Palate: Fine & Decorative Arts from the Collection of Frederick H. Schrader, Napa Valley Signature Auction catalog #8210, lot #61046

Fred Schrader is often described as one of the "bad boys" of Napa Valley, a title that reflects his adventurous spirit and unconventional approach to life. In addition to producing many of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignons – first with Colgin Cellars, then with Schrader Cellars – Fred Schrader has been an art dealer and collector since the 1970s, and he has traveled the world in pursuit of treasures.

- DIMENSIONS: (approx)

17.5" High, 21.125" Wide, 12" Deep;
(44.5 x 53.7 x 30.5 cm)

- HISTORY:

The cabinet was a furniture replacing the typical two bodies sculpted buffets of the 16th century. It became in the 17th century a pageantry furniture highly appreciated by the greatest sponsors of this period, such as Marie de Medici or the Cardinal Mazarin, that had a collection of more than 20 pieces.

Initially linked to the taste for medals and coins collections of the Renaissance period, the cabinet became itself a object that can be admired thanks to its panels decorated with paintings, precious woods marquetry, ivory, Boulle marquetry, pietra dura, scagliola, etc...

The history of these cabinets is complex and the manufacture was developed in many countries, notably Germany, Holland, Italy, England and France. With the creation of Oriental Indies Companies, occidental models were also built from various elements including lacquer panels and then exported in Europe.

The origin of this type of cabinet is believed to be Dutch. Some craftsmen from the Holy Roman Empire such as Theodore de Voghel and Iacobus Fiamengo were sent to the royal armory of Naples to make rifle and crossbow stocks for the service of the Spanish Habsburgs.

Given the success of this luxurious production, they decided to respond to a growing demand by producing pieces for civilians, in particular precious cabinets for wealthy merchants stopping over in the port.
To do this, they hired "intagliatore d'avoli" such as the engraver Giovanni Battista de Curtis, as well as ironworkers and goldsmiths to create the rich mounts for these travel cabinets.

Several pieces commissioned by the Court and documented are now preserved in Italian museums.
After the revolt of 1647 and the proclamation of the Neapolitan Republic, the production center followed the Spanish court and moved further north to the Duchy of Milan.
Until 1713, the kings of Spain remained Dukes of Milan and made the city one of the richest artistic centers in Europe, developing the arms trade, textiles and especially the banking sector.

In addition to the minting of gold coins, Lombardy became the European capital of finance.

Later, similarly styled cabinets spread through Europe and were enjoyed by royalty, nobility, and wealthy merchants, including the Flemish ceremonial Flemish Antwerp cabinet on stand, German Wunderkammer and Kunstkast Art Cabinet, English scientific collection and specimen cabinet, similar Austrian / South German Augsburg marquetry table cabinet intended for the storage of small rare objects such as exotic shells, geode stones, coral, medals, the French jewelery casket, and large Spanish Vargueno traveling chest of drawers writing box desk.

Our example is characteristic of the beginning of this rich luxurious Lombard production, its beautiful state of conservation, delicateness, fine intricacies, and the rare presence of open-case visible drawers with the lack of the typical fall-front panel make this quite the scarcity and a desired object on the market.

**Additional photos available upon request**

- CONDITION REPORT:

A superb museum quality example, in overall fine condition, especially considering its age.

Attractive appearance, with nicely aged warm rich dark patina, original antique character marks and charm throughout. Wear commensurate with age, use and handling, including minor stable splits, surface scuffs, scratches, nicks and abrasions. Some minor age related separation present and a few drawers show typical warping. The interior drawer lining has areas of minor peeling and there is evidence of possible prior repair to a drawer joint. Overall truly remarkable! Delivered lightly cleaned, waxed, ready for immediate use and multi-generational enjoyment!

Guaranteed to elevate any space, it's sure to add refined elegant sophistication, classic rustic warmth, depth, rich antique character and unique historical interest! See less