16TH/17TH CENTURY

The decorative scheme of this table cabinet is inspired by damascening of metalwork. A group of table cabinets, desksets and necessaires de toilette with similar decoration are usually attributed to Venice, where this technique was used at the end of the 16th Century. This cabinet is related to one in the Civiche Raccolte d'Arte Applicate in Milano, which is illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Veneto, Milan, 1980, p. 63. Another related architectural table-cabinet in ebony with decorative panels of pietra dura and dated to around 1600-20, is described as being Roman by M. Riccardi-Cubitt, The art of the Cabinet, London, 1992, p. 75, another similar table cabinet was offered, Christie's London, 25 May 1999, lot 110.