Cabinet

French
On View

in

European: 17th Century French, Level 2, South Wing

European: 17th Century French, Level 2, South Wing

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About the Artwork

Prominently placed in grand baroque interiors, cabinets-on­stand were highly prized for their sculptural decoration, imported veneers, and their startling illusionism. Their tops provided ideal display surfaces for Chinese porcelains, bronze statuettes, and other objets d'art. The cabinet doors, elaborately carved in relief, illustrate events in Greco-Roman mythology, French literature, ancient history, and the Bible. Scenes from the Old Testament story of Susannah and the Elders decorate the doors of this cabinet. Inside are shallow drawers where small precious objects, such as medals and jewels, could be stored. A second set of doors at center conceals a miniature stagelike setting, contrived of mirrors, malachite, and marquetries of exotic woods and stained horn.

Cabinet

between 1610 and 1643

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French

French

Exterior: ebony veneer on pine and walnut carcass; interior: kingwood, amaranth, ebony, holly, green-died horn, mirrors, and gilt bronze

Overall: 81 1/4 × 75 × 25 inches (206.4 × 190.5 × 63.5 cm)

Furniture

European Sculpture and Dec Arts

Founders Society Purchase with funds from the Friends of K. T. Keller in honor of his 70th birthday

55.458

This work is in the public domain.

Markings

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Provenance

French Art Galleries, Inc (Dealer)

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Provenance page

Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Payne, Elizabeth H. "Two Late Renaissance Cabinets." Bulletin of the DIA 36, 1 (1956-57): pp. 6-10 (ill.).

cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 26 (1931): pp. 232-236.

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

French, Cabinet, between 1610 and 1643, exterior: ebony veneer on pine and walnut carcass; interior: kingwood, amaranth, ebony, holly, green-died horn, mirrors, and gilt bronze. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase with funds from the Friends of K. T. Keller in honor of his 70th birthday, 55.458.

Cabinet
Cabinet