CRT: CRT3107390,Measurements: 74"l x 27.5"w x 25"h,Description: Bleached Oak Coffer.

CRT: CRT3107390,Measurements: 74"l x 27.5"w x 25"h,Description: Bleached Oak Coffer.   « Less

CRT: CRT4086723,Age: ca. 1870,Measurements: 79"l x 32"w x 38"h,Description: Painted Pine Top Island.

CRT: CRT4086723,Age: ca. 1870,Measurements: 79"l x 32"w x 38"h,Description: Painted Pine Top Island.   « Less

A late Victorian English mahogany cabinet with mirror, circa 1890.

A late Victorian English mahogany cabinet with mirror, circa 1890.   « Less

An Italian walnut cabinet with built in bar, circa 1900 (178 cm X 145 cm X 44 cm)

An Italian walnut cabinet with built in bar, circa 1900 (178 cm X 145 cm X 44 cm)   « Less

ORIGINAL ITALIAN 1890 RENAISSANCE CABINET 3 DOORS Bottom of This richly sculpted Italian cabinet, along with the table it accompanies and the two other cabinets, fit  More »

ORIGINAL ITALIAN 1890 RENAISSANCE CABINET 3 DOORS Bottom of This richly sculpted Italian cabinet, along with the table it accompanies and the two other cabinets, fit perfectly with the recent trend for executives to opt for a table and “credenza” in their office rather than a desk with drawers, in the traditional sense. But even if purchased separately, the cabinet is a beauty in its own right and would work well in any setting. Its origins are in the Renaissance cabinet called a credenza because people locked away precious food in it with confidence (credere meaning “to believe” or “trust”). It is typically a low cabinet (waist high) with a drawer (or two) in the frieze and one to three doors below. The credenza should not be mistaken for the French adaptation called a crédence, involving a design derived from a cupboard atop a table and eventually unified as one piece with a pot board as the base. In keeping with Italian Renaissance tradition, this cabinet is made of oak, although some parts are impiallacciatura. We hesitate to call it “veneer” because it is far thicker than in the modern sense and is used sparingly on the unadorned horizontal and vertical surfaces. Like solid wood, it boasts a warm and pleasing patina. This cabinet offers a cornucopia of Renaissance design motifs. What initially attracted us to this cabinet was the intricately carved romane head. Popularized by Northern Italian Renaissance artists such as Carlo Crivelli with his enormous decorative vocabulary and used as a visual effect to separate the viewer from the picture plane, the cascade is particularly pleasing because it draws the eye from top to bottom, to focus on the virtuosity of the carving. It is also a reminder of the agricultural bounty of the countryside from which the design of this credenza sprang.Although a bit more elaborate in its decoration, this cabinet reminded us of the magnificent 16th century credenza we saw in the Sitting Room during our visit in 2005 to Bernard Berenson’s Villa I Tatti outside Florence, just as he was photographed with it in 1903 (as shown on the cover of Ernest Samuels’ Bernard Berenson -- The Making of a Connoisseur). As its Renaissance forebears did, this cabinet locks with a key (of which we have two) in order to give the modern owner a credenza that whatever is inside is safely tucked away. Antiquités et Objets D’Art 10, Le Mobilier Italien (Editions Fabri, Paris, 1990); Costantino Fioratti, Helen, Il Mobile Italiano (Giunti Editore, Firenze-Milano, 2004); Rousseau, Francis, Le Grand Livre des Meubles, (Copyright Studio, Paris, 1999). This cabinet is versatile and would do well in just about any room of a home or in an office. Condition: Very good Year: 1890 Country: Italy Dimensions: W98 x D22 x H40 Style: Renaissance Materials: Oak Other: 3 doors   « Less

ORIGINAL ITALIAN 1890 RENAISSANCE CABINET 2 DOORS AND TOP DOOR Bottom of This richly sculpted Italian cabinet, along with the table it accompanies and the two other  More »

ORIGINAL ITALIAN 1890 RENAISSANCE CABINET 2 DOORS AND TOP DOOR Bottom of This richly sculpted Italian cabinet, along with the table it accompanies and the two other cabinets, fit perfectly with the recent trend for executives to opt for a table and “credenza” in their office rather than a desk with drawers, in the traditional sense. But even if purchased separately, the cabinet is a beauty in its own right and would work well in any setting. Its origins are in the Renaissance cabinet called a credenza because people locked away precious food in it with confidence (credere meaning “to believe” or “trust”). It is typically a low cabinet (waist high) with a drawer (or two) in the frieze and one to three doors below. The credenza should not be mistaken for the French adaptation called a crédence, involving a design derived from a cupboard atop a table and eventually unified as one piece with a pot board as the base. In keeping with Italian Renaissance tradition, this cabinet is made of oak, although some parts are impiallacciatura. We hesitate to call it “veneer” because it is far thicker than in the modern sense and is used sparingly on the unadorned horizontal and vertical surfaces. Like solid wood, it boasts a warm and pleasing patina. This cabinet offers a cornucopia of Renaissance design motifs. What initially attracted us to this cabinet was the intricately carved romane head. Popularized by Northern Italian Renaissance artists such as Carlo Crivelli with his enormous decorative vocabulary and used as a visual effect to separate the viewer from the picture plane, the cascade is particularly pleasing because it draws the eye from top to bottom, to focus on the virtuosity of the carving. It is also a reminder of the agricultural bounty of the countryside from which the design of this credenza sprang.Although a bit more elaborate in its decoration, this cabinet reminded us of the magnificent 16th century credenza we saw in the Sitting Room during our visit in 2005 to Bernard Berenson’s Villa I Tatti outside Florence, just as he was photographed with it in 1903 (as shown on the cover of Ernest Samuels’ Bernard Berenson -- The Making of a Connoisseur). As its Renaissance forebears did, this cabinet locks with a key (of which we have two) in order to give the modern owner a credenza that whatever is inside is safely tucked away. Antiquités et Objets D’Art 10, Le Mobilier Italien (Editions Fabri, Paris, 1990); Costantino Fioratti, Helen, Il Mobile Italiano (Giunti Editore, Firenze-Milano, 2004); Rousseau, Francis, Le Grand Livre des Meubles, (Copyright Studio, Paris, 1999). This cabinet is versatile and would do well in just about any room of a home or in an office. Condition: Very good Year: 1890 Country: Italy Dimensions: W58 x D22 x H40 Style: Renaissance Materials: Oak Other: 2 doors and top door   « Less

This is a very nice hand painted display cabinet in the French style made in England circa 1900. Inside the cabinet is solid mahogany, each pain of glass is individually  More »

This is a very nice hand painted display cabinet in the French style made in England circa 1900. Inside the cabinet is solid mahogany, each pain of glass is individually cut. lt sits on square legs, and is in good condition.   « Less

A very nice small display cabinet, great for displaying pocket watches collectibles or small items. It was made in England circa 1900; the top has a satinwood string inlay.  More »

A very nice small display cabinet, great for displaying pocket watches collectibles or small items. It was made in England circa 1900; the top has a satinwood string inlay. There is a single door to the front, and it sits on square tapered legs. lts in very good condition and has two glass shelves.   « Less

A superb solid mahogany display cabinet made in England by MAPLE circa 1900. To the front it has very fine parquetry satinwood inlay. Maple was one of the leading cabinet  More »

A superb solid mahogany display cabinet made in England by MAPLE circa 1900. To the front it has very fine parquetry satinwood inlay. Maple was one of the leading cabinet makers in the 1880s, anything with their label is always very desirable, and they also made things in France. This one sits on splayed legs, also with satinwood inlay. To the top it has a brass gallery, the condition of this cabinet in excellent. The makers label is on the back.   « Less

A very nice burr walnut cocktail cabinet made in England circa 1920. Inside is superb, with maple interior. It sits on Queen Anne style legs,a with carved apron to the front  More »

A very nice burr walnut cocktail cabinet made in England circa 1920. Inside is superb, with maple interior. It sits on Queen Anne style legs,a with carved apron to the front and sides. The top comes of the base so it is easy to transport. Great for entertaining,also we have the original key. Lts in very good condition.   « Less