19th century French kingwood and parquetry poudreuse of…
click the photo to enlarge
19th century French kingwood and parquetry poudreuse of serpentine outline the lift up top with central hinged mirror flanked by lidded compartments, leather inset writing slide and four drawer combination on cabriole legs with ormolu mounts.

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Cabriole Leg - The cabriole leg evolved from an elongated scroll, curving out at the knee which may or may not be carved, and forming a serpentine shape as it descends to the foot.

    First introduced into English furniture in the late 17th century, cabriole legs were widely used during the Queen Anne and early Georgian periods, where they frequently terminated in a pad foot or ball and claw foot. The style has had many imitators since then. The cabriole leg was re-introduced in the mid-19th century, and is commonly associated with the balloon-back dining or drawing-room chairs made in walnut, mahogany or, in Australia, cedar. The Victorian cabriole leg, on the whole, was rather more slender than the earlier form, following the French style, which emphasized the delicacy and daintiness of the chairs they were designed to support. Cabriole legs are sometimes found on windsor chairs, especially those made during the 18th century.
  • Serpentine - Resembling a serpent, in the form of an elongated 'S'. A serpentine front is similar to a bow front, except that the curve is shallow at each end, swelling towards the middle. The term presumably derives from its similarity to a moving snake or serpent. Serpentine fronts are usually veneered, with the carcase either being cut and shaped from a solid piece of timber, or built in the 'brick' method.
  • Parquetry - Parquetry is inlay laid in geometric patterns, the contrast being achieved by the opposing angles of the grain and veneers. The herringbone pattern is the most commonly used in flooring, but this is almost never seen in furniture - the patterns used are more complex and unlike flooring, can include several different varieties of timber.
  • Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.
  • Mounts - Mounts are used to describe bronze, brass and ormolu adornments on furniture especially quality furniture in the rococo and classical revival style, and are also the cabinet makers' name for the metal fittings on furniture, such as hinges, locks and handles, and metal edges and guards which protect furniture from damage.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A 19th century Louis XV style kneehole writing desk of serpentine outline on cabriole legs with ormolu sabots. 76 cm high, 53 cm wide, 46 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

An English walnut ladies desk on cabriole legs, 18th century. 72 cm high, 94 cm wide, 52 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A pair of fruitwood French provincial style bedside tables. 70 cm high, 65 cm wide, 47 cm deep.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Fine antique period walnut lowboy, fitted with three drawers, approx 78.5 cm high, 107 cm wide, 47 cm depth

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.