A beautiful Dutch floral marquetry chest of 3 drawers, circa 1890s. The strikingly detailed marquetry of mahogany and satinwood covers all the visible surfaces including the drawer fronts and is a plethora of exquisite hand cut flowers and foliage, centred by a beautiful amphora shaped vase of flowering stems. The 2 ends are similarly decorated with a vase of floral foliage. It has 3 full-width drawers, each with 2 gorgeous brass cast ring handles and is raised on slightly curved legs that terminate in block feet with brass mounts on the 2 front legs.

“Marquetry” is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, pewter or brass silver) of different colors are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers. Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-17th century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV.

This piece represents a great late 19th century example of Dutch marquetry cabinetry and is in good condition given it’s age.

Dimensions: cabinet width 36.5″ x depth 15.25″ x height 31.5″ ,                                        drawers inside 31″x 11″ x 4″