AN IMPRESSIVE AND IMPORTANT AMBONYA, STINKWOOD AND PINE ROCOCO CAPE CABINET WITH ORMOLU MOUNTS

South-Africa, Cape of Good Hope, last quarter 18th century

 

With sculpted hood with central rocaille ornament, two plain doors above three large drawers, on rocaille-shaped feet, on wheels, with ormolu mounts.

H. 265 x W. 174 x D. 70 cm

Note:

This very large cabinet belongs to the most impressive type of furniture made in the late 18th century at the Cape of Good Hope. These cabinets were made of a combination of indigenous and exotic woods of which stinkwood and amboyna were the most common. Apart from their excessive proportions, they are known for their rich carvings in the gables and feet. The carved elements in the present cabinet are of high quality and obviously the work of an experienced furniture maker. Originally this cabinet probably had silver escutcheons and handles as most of the 18th century Dutch Cape cabinets had.