Lot Essay
The large proportions and extravagant use of exotic timber gives an initial impression that this cabinet was made in the Dutch colonies, where at the end of the 18th Century close imitations were made of Dutch neoclassical furniture, which are not enriched with exotic foliate carving, leaving their nationality ambiguous at first glance. The use of oak in certain areas of the carcass however, indicates that this example was executed in the Netherlands
This exotic timber is in fact Rengas or Borneo rosewood, which is among the heaviest of tropical timbers, weighing approximately 900 kilograms per cubic meter, and was only used for the most superior Dutch cabinet-making. One other, virtually identical cabinet is known to exist. It was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 20 December 1985, lot 716.
See illustration
This exotic timber is in fact Rengas or Borneo rosewood, which is among the heaviest of tropical timbers, weighing approximately 900 kilograms per cubic meter, and was only used for the most superior Dutch cabinet-making. One other, virtually identical cabinet is known to exist. It was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 20 December 1985, lot 716.
See illustration