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ANTIQUE BOXES
at the Sign of the Hygra 2 Middleton Road London E8 4BL Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7254 7074 email: boxes@hygra.com |
Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900 by ANTIGONE Table Cabinets |
| Table Cabinets | 
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| A rosewood veneered and brass inlaid table cabinet.
This exemplifies the influence of Egyptian architectural prototypes on the work of cabinet makers. The lines and decoration of the piece guide the vision upwards to the superbly constructed top. Note the robustness of the carved elements which reinforce the idea of monumental strength. The top panel is inlaid with a brass mirror matched anthemion. The front folds down to provide a writing surface and reveal a series of drawers. This is an unusual arrangement, which allows for unity of design at the front. A very individual piece. Circa 1815-20. The cabinet measures: 10.5" wide. Click in the images to enlarge. |
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Click in the images to enlarge. |
A very curious feature is the central brass inlay which depicts lambs under a tree. Although the tree and the animals are arranged in a symmetrical, still way, they introduce a rather romantic bucolic note, which is surprising but not discordant, with the stylized borders. |
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The front opens down to reveal three drawers. The top
section is not a drawer but is accessed by lifting the top. the facing
has a dummy handle for reason of design completeness. See below
The drawers are all inlaid with brass.
Click in the images to enlarge. |
| The feet are turned solid wood. The base has gadrooning
all around.
The sides are inlaid with a single brass line accented with an eight pointed star motif.
Click in the images to enlarge. |
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| The top panel is inlaid with a brass mirror matched
anthemion.
Click in the images to enlarge. |
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The top contains a document wallet with a ruched Regency
yellow front. This is fielded with a gold embossed leather frame.
The bottom drawer is fitted for writing having a pen compartment and inkwell. The front has a gold embossed writing tablet on the inside surface. See detail below. |
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| The bottom drawer contains an original brass toped glass inkwell. |  |