Monumental French Display Cabinet with Bourbon Coat of Arms, 1740

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Monumental French Display Cabinet with Bourbon Coat of Arms

France, Régence / early Louis XV, c. 1740–1760
This exceptional French … Read more Monumental French Display Cabinet with Bourbon Coat of Arms

France, Régence / early Louis XV, c. 1740–1760
This exceptional French display cabinet is among the most representative examples of courtly furniture from the mid-18th century. Its monumental proportions, the extraordinarily high-quality carving, and the richly articulated architectural design lend it an impressive presence.

The cabinet is crowned by an elaborately carved pediment with a closed royal crown and the Bourbon coat of arms with the fleur-de-lis. This royal symbol underscores the cabinet's representative status and alludes to the French monarchy, without necessarily proving direct courtly provenance.

The entire front is covered with deeply carved rocaille, foliage, and scrollwork ornaments. Particularly noteworthy are the numerous individually designed putti and children's heads, as well as the finely modeled mascarons and medallions, executed with exceptional sculptural skill. The carvings possess remarkable depth and vibrancy, testifying to the work of a first-class workshop.

Not only the front, but also the sides are completely covered with large-scale relief cartouches and decorative carvings – a clear indication that this piece of furniture was originally freestanding or part of a prestigious interior.

The original brass fittings and escutcheons are finely engraved and harmonize beautifully with the wavy, historic glass panes, further emphasizing the cabinet's authentic character.

Stylistically, the piece falls between the Régence and early Louis XV styles. While some architectural elements still reflect the austerity of the Régence, the increasingly asymmetrical and dynamic carvings clearly point toward the emerging Rococo.

The previous owner used the cabinet to store hunting rifles. This device can be easily reversed if necessary. See less