POSSIBLY BY L'ESCALIER DE CRISTAL, LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

Established in 1802 by Mme. Désarnaud, the luxury store of the Maison A L'Escalier de Cristal supplied clocks, lamps and other objets d'art to ruling families in Europe. The firm exhibited to great acclaim at the 1819 Exposition des produits de l'industrie, and was appointed fournisseur breveté du Roi that same year. The business was located in the Palais Royal, a centre of excellence for the high quality jewellers, silversmiths and manufacturers of Objets de Vertu, for which Paris was renowned. The company commissioned manufacturers to supply individual components which were then assembled to the firm's own designs - much in the tradition of the 18th century marchands-merciers, from whom they inherited their specialist profession. The atelier continued its success throughout the century by collaborating with designers and makers such as Gallé and Christofle, until its demise in 1923.

The lock on this impressive cabinet is stamped by Fichet. Interestingly, another cabinet with the lock by the same serrurerie, signed Escalier de Cristal, appeared at Christie's London, 1 October 2002, lot 224.