A magnificent coromandel cabinet on stand

 

Sri Lanka, mid 18th century

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H. 234 x W. 147 x D. 79 cm

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The typical Dutch colonial cupboard with two doors, surmounted by an architectural stepped pediment and resting on a table with two drawers and cabriole-shaped legs ending in ball-and-claw feet. Rather exceptional about this cupboard are the so-called orgelgebogen (organ bowed) sculpted frames around the doors, the side panels and in the table part with the drawers, which are accentuated by the beautiful pattern of the finest coromandel wood. The carving of the apron and particularly the form of the scrolling stretchers connecting the legs are typical for Dutch-Sri Lankan furniture. Also notable is the fact that every inch of the cabinet has been made in massive coromandel wood, making it heavy, but highly durable.