18th C. Italian Renaissance Walnut "Studiolo" Cabinet With 38 Drawers & Secrets

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Crafted in Italy circa 1760, this rare walnut “studiolo” cabinet — also known as a Cabinet of Curiosities — represents … Read more Crafted in Italy circa 1760, this rare walnut “studiolo” cabinet — also known as a Cabinet of Curiosities — represents the height of 18th century craftsmanship, inspired by the Renaissance tradition of safeguarding valuable collections in elaborate architectural furniture. Measuring 43.5″ wide, 19″ deep, and 74″ high, it features an intricate façade containing 38 drawers in total, including eleven ingenious secret compartments: three concealed within the two top drawers and eight hidden inside the two side doors.
The upper section is arranged with miniature pediments, fluted columns, and arched niches, each richly adorned with allegorical figures, grotesques, cherubs, masks, and heraldic crests in deep relief. Below, paneled doors open to shelved storage, framed by boldly sculpted caryatids and foliate carving. Every drawer front is meticulously finished and fitted with period-style pulls, while the walnut’s warm, lustrous patina reflects over two centuries of careful preservation.
A rare original shipping label from the Karlsruher Lagerhaus, a prominent German warehouse and shipping firm of the 19th–20th centuries, remains affixed to the back, suggesting a storied journey across Europe. Both functional and sculptural, this cabinet is a masterpiece of Italian ingenuity and artistry, ideal for a collector’s library, study, or gallery. Very good condition commensurate with age and use. Includes two keys. See less