Description
This two-bodies cabinet is a very fine example of the interest shown by Lyon cabinet-makers regarding architectural rigour and organisation principles. Indeed, during the Second Renaissance, the furniture making industry adopts the architectural style inherited from Antiquity via the Italian arts of the Quattrocento.
This cabinet comprises two superimposed bodies. The slightly recessed upper-body is topped by an over-flowing entablature and cornice supported by four vigorous Ionic grooved columns. The ceiling is carved with roses and geometrical motifs.
The lower-body stands on a moulded base bordered by a braid. It opens with two door-leaves, each panel centred by a mask and four roses. The panel’s frame is ornate with palm-leaves. Grooved pilasters act as lateral jambs and false-frame.
The belt is located between large mouldings with palm-leaves and torus motifs. Two drawers adopting a bec-de-corbin profile opens in the belt. They also present palm-leaves motifs.
The upper-body is divided by three grooved pilasters. The door-leaves repeat the same ornamentation as on the lower-body but with winged putti heads instead of masks. Two braids border the upper body.
The sides of the cabinet received a more sobre ornamentation.
The cabinet is topped by a dentil and palm-leaf cornice standing on palm-leaves modilions.
This simple and elegant two-bodies cabinet shows a remarkable quality of execution. The cabinet-maker who authored this piece used a great variety of motifs in the ornamental repertoire. Furthermore, they have successfully associated strict organisation of volumes and important moulding reliefs thus enlivening the facade.