A classic bombe shaped Vernis Martin style vitrine, the single…
click the photo to enlarge
A classic bombe shaped vernis martin style vitrine, the single door painted with a courting couple, the side panels with landscapes, the bow fronted single door panelled with finely cast ormolu mounts, the door supported each side by cast masks, the cabinet surmounted by spayed cartouche. 182 x 88 cm

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.
  • Panels - Timber pieces, usually of well-figured wood either recessed or applied over the frames of doors and as decoration elsewhere in the carcase of cabinet furniture. The panels may take a variety of shapes rectangular, square, shield shape, oval, half-round or in the form of Egyptian pylons.
  • Cartouche - An ornamental panel in the form of of a shield, oval or rectangular scroll with curling edges. It may be carved into the back of a chair or the top of a sideboard, or present on a piece of silver or jewellery, and contain the initials of the original owner, heraldic symbols, or some other inscription, such as the details of a presentation.

    In ceramics the term defines the central area of a vase or similar with a decorative border in one of the shapes above, into which a decorative scene or figures have been painted.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Vernis Martin - A generic name for a type of lacquer finish applied to furniture and a multitude of small articles, giving a brilliant translucent finish, imitating the Chinese and Japanese lacquer finishes on furniture imported into France during the Louis XV period..

    Usually the surface to which the lacquer is applied was embellished with painted decoration of a classical scene.

    The name is derived from the inventors, Simon-Etienne Martin and his two brothers, a distinguished family of French artist-artificers of the 18th century, who refined and perfected the technique, and were granted a monopoly in its manufacture in 1730.
  • Bombe Front - More commonly associated with a dome shaped dessert, "bombe" in furniture parlance means "puffed out". In profile the piece is serpentine shaped, narrow at the top, swelling out towards the middle and continuing to the floor, though sometimes it narrowed again at the foot. Drawer fronts are curved in section. Bombe pieces are often highly decorated with marquetry inlay, or veneered and set with brass or ormolu mounts. The most common use of the word, is in the description of the 'bombe commode'.

    The bombe design was particularly popular in the 18th century, during the reign of Louis XIV, when it was used to create furniture pieces with a curved, rounded bulging shape. This design was used on furniture in many styles, including Baroque, Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. The bombe chest is one of the most iconic furniture piece featuring this design. They were usually made of precious woods like mahogany, rosewood, and walnut, and feature elaborate inlay, gilded ornaments and ormolu. Other items of furniture where the bombe design can be seen include cabinets, commodes, and desks.
  • Bow Front - The front is shaped in a gentle curve or bow. Introduced during the 18th century, the bow-front is associated with furniture of the Hepplewhite and Sheraton period, though of course the form continued to be used throughout the 19th century. Bow-fronted pieces are usually veneered, although some were cut from the solid wood. Where veneer is used, the carcase is cut either from pine or deal, or sometimes the front was built up and shaped with small timber 'bricks'. Commonly used on various types of furniture including chairs, settees, chests, side tables, sideboards and display cabinets.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

An early/mid-20th century French kingwood and ormolu vitrine, serpentine glazed side panels and front door, the bombe form base painted with classical figures and landscape scenes, internal mirrored back with two glass fitted shelves, decorative ormolu mou

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

A 20th century French Kingwood large vitrine, serpentine form, the serpentine glazed panelled front door with painted lower panel of a courting couple, glazed corners, serpentine framed side panels, fancy gilt metal mounts, three shelf interior. 108 x 50 x

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

A French Louis XV style Vernis Martin kingwood vitrine, circa 1880s, with painted panels signed M. Le Brun?, a tapering ogee top with a pierced rococo cartouche above a serpentine shaped body with a glazed door and sides enclosing glass shelves, the lower

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

A Georgian grandfather clock in mahogany case with subsidiary seconds dial and date window, 225 cm

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