Lot 50
50
A SPANISH COLONIAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL AND TORTOISESHELL CABINET 'MEUBLE ENCONCHADO'**

Details
A SPANISH COLONIAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL AND TORTOISESHELL CABINET 'MEUBLE ENCONCHADO'**
EARLY 18TH CENTURY

With canted rectangular cornice fitted with an ebonized balustrade above an inlaid frieze and an assortment of nine ripple-moulded and foliate inlaid drawers and centrally fitted with a tabernacle compartment decorated with a painting of St. Francis, the drawers flanked by disengaged canted columns, the sides fitted with a cabinet door opening to reveal shelves, above later ball feet, the stand with a cross-banded top and inlaid frieze above later cabriole legs
59¾in. (151.5cm.) high, 75¼in. (191cm.) wide, 24½in. (62.5cm.) deep

Lot Essay

The elaborate inlays on the present lot were inspired by the splendid mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell incrusted cabinets, or meuble enconchado, which originated in the Spanish Philippines in the early 17th century. The prototype was made as a wedding gift for the granddaughter of the Viceroy of Peru (see H. Hayward, World Furniture, London, 1965, p. 106) and was subseqently offered at Sotheby's New York, 21 May 1992, lot 79. The distinctive decoration of the coffer and the presence of a double-headed eagle on the front panel are considered typical of works produced in Mexico during the 17th and 18th centuries.

A closely related cabinet was sold in these Rooms 11 January 1994, lot 151.