Lot Essay
A similar side cabinet is illustrated in C. Payne, 19th century European Furniture, Woodbridge, 1981, p. 176.
The Property of a European Princely Family
A French ormolu and cabochon pietra dura-mounted ebonised bibliotheque basse
THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
Details
A French ormolu and cabochon pietra dura-mounted ebonised bibliotheque basse
Third quarter 19th Century
Of breakfront outline, the ebonised top above a frieze mounted with alternating sunflowers and acanthus, above three doors enclosing two adjustable shelves, the central door decorated with a ribbon-tied fruit garland, flanked by two doors decorated with a vase of flowers above a scrolling acanthus bracket, the uprights decorated with faun caryatids, the plain sides centered with masks of Hercules wearing the Nemean Lion's pelt headdress, above a waved plinth centered with a mask of Bacchus, flanked to either side by two scrolling acanthus leaves
85 5/8 in. (217.5 cm.) wide; 46¼ in. (117.5 cm.) high; 16 7/8 in. (42.8 cm.) deep
Third quarter 19th Century
Of breakfront outline, the ebonised top above a frieze mounted with alternating sunflowers and acanthus, above three doors enclosing two adjustable shelves, the central door decorated with a ribbon-tied fruit garland, flanked by two doors decorated with a vase of flowers above a scrolling acanthus bracket, the uprights decorated with faun caryatids, the plain sides centered with masks of Hercules wearing the Nemean Lion's pelt headdress, above a waved plinth centered with a mask of Bacchus, flanked to either side by two scrolling acanthus leaves
85 5/8 in. (217.5 cm.) wide; 46¼ in. (117.5 cm.) high; 16 7/8 in. (42.8 cm.) deep
Provenance
Olga Nikolaievna, Grand Duchess of Russia and Queen of Württemberg (d. 1892), second daughter of Tsar Nicholas I, Villa Berg, Stuttgart
Vera Konstantinovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, Grand-daughter of Tsar Nicholas I and Duchess of Württemberg (d. 1912), niece of the above Thence by descent
Vera Konstantinovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, Grand-daughter of Tsar Nicholas I and Duchess of Württemberg (d. 1912), niece of the above Thence by descent