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A Baroque style vitrine/display cabinet from Portugal c.1890

$15,811List Price

About the Item

A spectacular Baroque style vitrine/display cabinet of breakfront form with the original painted and gilded finish from Portugal c.1890. This extraordinary example of hand crafted cabinet making is reminiscent of the splendours of the Baroque period in Italy, France and Spain where the magnificence of the furniture enhanced the elaborate quality of interior architecture. The ability to command the resources to have furniture created and crafted to a superb standard was an indication of both economic and social status and this particular cabinet is visually riveting in much the same way as earlier pieces. Please use our zoom feature to wander over the different areas of this cabinet in order to see the subtle variations in both the carving and the finish that reveal its hand made appeal. Then entire cabinet is symmetrical in design with the same motifs spreading to the left and right of the centre in a balanced manner. This cabinet was originally designed as part of an entire display on a wall in an interior where the contents on show behind the glass doors were meant to be seen from both the front and the sides. The elegance of the design and the attention paid to all the surfaces indicate that this cabinet was placed in a room where conversation and socializing were the main functions. This is especially indicated by the scale of the cabinet. This is a display cabinet that rewards close appreciation of both its exterior and the objects placed within its interior. When viewed from a seated position the fanciful scrolls and flourishes seen across the crown and on the vertical divides assume a beautiful and luxurious profile. The curved top of the cabinet possesses the undulating line associated with the lushness of the Baroque era where the emphasis was always on a moving line full of curves and twists. The centre of the piece is also the tallest section where the top is focused on a spray of curved palm fronds that fan out from the centre point and cascade along the top edge as it descends toward the outer corners. Please notice the hand carved floral blossoms seen on this cartouche and the way these blossoms also appear on each of the four large scrolls placed at the four divides between the three upper doors. This open work carving allows light to pierce the surface to increase the reflective quality of the hand applied gilding. To the left and right of the centre cartouche there are matching cartouches that have a pattern of a centre scroll that leans forward flanked by three scrolls that fan out from each side. Again this is accomplished by open work carving and a gilded surface that creates a dazzling sculptural effect because of the three dimensional appearance. The centre door is flanked by doors on the right and left that all open with their original keys, hinges and locks. It is notable that the locks and hinges are of the simplest type as they were meant to disappear visually so as not to interfere with the dramatic presence of the overall cabinet. Because the sides of the upper section of this cabinet also feature glass the term "vitrine" may also be used to describe this piece. Vitrine is taken from the French "vitre" meaning pane of glass. All five panes of glass are original and retain that delightful movement across the surface visible as the eye moves across the pane from side to side. This slight ripple adds a wonderful layer of appeal to the cabinet as light both passes through the glass but is also slightly captured by the change in the surface. The lower section of the cabinet combines both an additional display area as well as practical storage. In the lower centre is a niche defined by an arched surround of carved and gilded wood chosen to direct the eye to the object displayed within its confines. This niche is flanked on both sides with a vertical cabinet door and above all three of these are three drawers that pull open and closed with the original pull. This type of cabinet is described by a specific term- "breakfront" - used to define its front profile. This term is used because the centre area of the cabinet is set further forward than the sides giving an actual sense of movement across the front that "breaks the flat line" hence the term "breakfront". The construction of a breakfront always requires more skill and ability and is reserved for only high quality pieces where a definite impact is desired. In this particular case a breakfront form was chosen as it creates four corners not just the traditional two corners seen on most bookcases. The centre corners flank the large door while the outer corners flank the outer sides of the smaller side doors. This detail is important because the cabinet has been built with four vertical supports that are each set at a fourty-five degree angle at each corner. From top to bottom each support repeats the same decorative design. Beginning at the top there is a large flourish that curves into the air above the cabinet. This is balanced with an opposing scroll that rests upon a flat and narrow vertical section defined by a raised and gilded edge that surrounds the interior painted surface. Beneath this vertical section is another scroll. Do look closely at these scrolls for they are not merely solid decorative devices but are actually carved by hand so they are each open as they move away from the front of the cabinet. This is important as the openness allows for light to pass through, behind and around each scroll and highlights the airy quality. On the lower section these same scrolls are applied at the same angle so the flat front of each of the three sections is punctuated by these forms that move forward at a distinctly different angle. Even the back left and right corner feature this same combination of open scrollwork so that no matter from which direction the cabinet is seen it has the same dynamic movement. The entire visible surface of the front sides and even top is embellished with a luscious painted surface with several colours in addition to the gilding used to increase the profile differences. Importantly it is not only the exterior that has been adorned but also the interior. The back of the upper section is also hand painted and gilded with a large scale pattern that complements the exterior. The artisan chosen to accomplish the paint used a small scale for the outside but used a pattern of organic leaves and vines for the interior back. The sensuous swirl of these shapes provide an arresting contrast to the carved elements on the exterior while remaining true to the overall design of the cabinet. The base moulding around the lower edge completes the cabinet but ever aware of the need for elegance and lightness the design has the entire piece elevated on slightly recessed and circular feet. In order to facilitate the moving of this piece to different locations the top and bottom are separate sections and the upper and lower doors are removable as are the drawers. This is a marvelous cabinet of true European decorative style and will be a focal point wherever it is placed in an interior.

Dimensions:
Height: 76.5 in (194.31 cm)Width: 51 in (129.54 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Gilt,Painted
Place of Origin:
Portugal
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
c.1890
Condition:
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: EEJ1091stDibs: U1203198668650