An exceptional English Regency side cabinet, masterfully crafted in richly figured rosewood and embellished with magnificent gilt ormolu mounts. Dating to the Regency period (1811–1820), this elegant cabinet reflects one of the most sophisticated eras of British furniture design, when cabinetmakers drew inspiration from the classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome while embracing luxurious exotic timbers and finely cast bronze ornament.
The cabinet is crowned with an elegant black marble top above a finely detailed ormolu frieze of scrolling rosettes, while the façade is framed by beautifully cast gilt bronze mounts featuring classical female caryatids that lend both grandeur and architectural presence.
During the Regency period, rosewood was among the most coveted cabinet woods imported into England from Brazil and the West Indies. Its dramatic grain and rich colouring made it the preferred choice for the finest furniture commissioned by the British aristocracy and affluent patrons. Combined with expertly chased ormolu mounts and a polished marble top, the result is a cabinet of remarkable elegance and enduring quality.
England, Circa 1815
* The cabinet also benefits from distinguished modern provenance, having been acquired by its previous owner at a Christie’s auction in February 2002 for $16,450 USD (after accounting for inflation and today’s exchange rate, this figure is equivalent to over $42,000 today. *
Dimensions:
W: 55″
D: 17″
H: 38″
