18th Century Cabinets

This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exceptional artistry, it is a work of royal and historic significance that exudes power in each and every detail. The broken pediment at its apex features the simplified royal coat of arms bearing the king’s crown, while the interior is adorned by portraits of the British Royal Family. Placed within the ambassador’s St. Petersburg home, this entirely unique piece of furniture would have been a potent reminder of England's grandeur and political importance. Relations between England and Russia during this period were at an all-time high. Peter the Great had traveled to England in 1698 as part of his widely known “Grand Embassy” tour, wherein he attempted to gain foreign support against the Ottoman Empire. He spent a period of nearly four months there, meeting with King William III and his court on numerous occasions. Noted academic Arthur MacGregor wrote concerning the impact of the trip, “For two decades following Peter's visit, British influence in Russia reached a peak. It manifested itself in social custom, in craft practice and in ships and naval organization... it reached a significant sector of the population before relations cooled once again and the two nations pulled back from this era of unprecedented cordiality.” First and foremost, however, it is a reminder of British might and influence. By the reign of King George I, England had come into its own as a world power. Unique in its design, this cabinet is a reflection of the country’s might. It is crafted from the highest-quality solid walnut and burr walnut adorned by gilded lock plates and engraved hinges. The presence of ormolu at its apex and lining the doors was a rarity for this period, and its addition makes manifest the importance of the design. The outer doors open to reveal multiple interiors, including fifteen separate drawers around a central cupboard; the cupboard doors each bear mezzotint portraits of George I and his father, Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover. An etching after the portrait of George I dating to circa 1716 is in London’s Royal Academy. A second, inner pair of doors are adorned by mezzotints of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later Queen Caroline and George II), which are both after portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller dated 1716 in the Royal Collection. A final portrait is revealed on the very interior of the cabinet, where a mezzotint of Frederick, Anne, Amelia and Caroline, children of the Prince of Wales, resides. An etching (circa 1715-1720) after this portrait can be found in the National Portrait Gallery (London). Apart from its abundance of royal portraiture, the cabinet features stunning painted decoration, including floral designs as well as clouds, birds and trees in a bucolic motif reminiscent of Eden. Its lower portion is a study in both form and function, featuring a fitted secrétaire-drawer above three additional drawers for storage. The cabinet appears in The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture by R. Edwards from 1964, a text that is regarded as the bible of British furniture design. Edwards describes it as a “writing cabinet...given by George I to the British Ambassador at the Russian court.” The cabinet was likely made for the 18th-century German diplomat and writer Friedrich Christian Weber, who represented English interests at the Russian court from 1714 until 1719. Although Weber’s tenure as ambassador was relatively short, while in St. Petersburg, he authored his account entitled Das veraenderte Russland (The Present State of Russia), which was published in three volumes in 1721, 1739 and 1740. It may, however, also have been made for George Douglas, 2nd Earl of Dumbarton, who served as ambassador alongside Weber in 1716. Diplomatic relations ceased between the two countries in 1721. In 1928, the cabinet appeared for sale at the International Exhibition of Antiques & Works of Art in Olympia. It had previously been in the collection of the Woltner family of Bordeaux, the celebrated vintners who owned the estate Château Laville Haut-Brion and produced wine of the same name. According to the family, Monsieur Woltner was given the cabinet as a gift from an aunt who lived in Russia for many years. After leaving the Woltner collection, the cabinet was acquired by William Berry...

This solid oakwood cabinet originates in the German state of North Rhine Westphalia and it dates circa 1720. The cabinet is made in the finest quality watered oak...

Late 18th Century Venetian Neoclassical Polychrome Giltwood Display Cabinet, Late 18th Century Venetian Hand-Carved, Painted Giltw...

Behold this extraordinary cabinet by Fernando Pogliani from Milan that is a layered fantasia of ebony and bone. The front is intricately worked inlay depicting everything from angels...

A handsome Italian 18th century Baroque st. Walnut cabinet/bookcase. The two door two drawer cabinet is raised by an elegant mottled stepped base below superb column like designs lea...

Impressive two-door baroque cabinet or armoire in oak and walnut. From a Danish manor house, c. 1730-1750. This large-sized cabinet features an architecturally architecture includi...

An unusually small, single-door cabinet on chest featuring an arched cornice, original hardware, and outstanding color and patina. The book-matched veneers on the door feature extrao...

This charming hand carved German corner cabinet still maintains its original faux wood-grain finish. This is being sold in original condition with original key.

A so-called Maria Theresa cabinet (furniture type named after the Austrian empress) or Baroque hall cabinet from the 18th century. On ball feet standing two-door coniferous corpus...

18th Century Swedish Painted Pine Two-Tiered Cabinet is ideal for the casual decor, providing both visual impact and abundant storage in one! The top ti...

Superb and unique Antwerp Baroque period cabinet with Asian decoration in tortoise shell, pewter and brass ball marquetry, chiseled and gilded bronze ornamentation. 18 century The ca...

From Provence, France, this beautiful walnut panetiere was hand-carved in the 1700’s. Panetieres were usually hung on walls and functioned as a decorative way keep bread safe...

Rare folk art cabinet from Järvsö in Hälsingland, Sweden. The cabinet is made by hand in solid pine around 1790 to 1810 and has the original paint which is in very good condition. No...

Exceptional bridal cabinet in original paint from Franconia, southern Germany. This cabinet dates from the late 18th century, and the original paint has worn beautifully in a charact...

A lacquer finished 18th century Chinese two-door cabinet with a set of small round legs. This simple and Classic piece comes from Henan Province and contains al original hardware and...

Cabinet / Cupboard Corner Swedish baroque, 18th century original paint, Sweden. An absolutely lovely cabinet in a bevelled shape. One cabinet d...

An extraordinarily high-quality Rococo cabinet crafted to the standard of a master’s piece. Painted in Rococo style, the cabinet has never been veneered. It features double front leg...

George III red laquered Chinoiserie demilune cabinet with hardwood applique and handpainting throughout, the whole stands on tapered feet, interior has one shelf and fabric throughou...

Beautiful Louis XV period armoire in cherrywood. Masterfully carved floral details in relief. Two drawers, one with original lock. Door lock is also original and functional. Great or...

This narrow early cabinet is a striking example of vernacular European craftsmanship, distinguished by its vertical proportions and iron-mounted door. Crafted from solid wood, it fea...

A WALNUT CABINET a` DEUX CORPS, TWO DOORS ABOVE, WITH 5 SHELVES BEHIND, 3 DOORS BELOW WITH 2 SHELVES BEHIND. TYPICAL REGENCE CARVING, ORIGINAL PAINT - ORIGINAL HARDWARE.

An English carved and painted wood buffet from the 18th century. This antique cabinet from England has been beautifully hand-carved with scroll and foliate designs embellishing the raised panels found along the drawer and door fronts, as well as down each front side post. The case houses a pair of small...

Rare hand-painted corner cabinet from the 18th century with a single door. The geometrically decorated panels on the front create a striking contrast against the light-painted surfac...

Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Cabinet, South Germany, 1780 This remarkable Louis XVI Secretary Cabinet, crafted in South Germany around 1780, showcases a sophisticated blend of waln...

A decorative early 18th century lacquer cabinet with oriental landscapes and buildings, a fully fitted interior, and the original engrave...

Fantastic piece in impeccable condition. Regency exotic hardwood bureau or secretaire desk or cabinet of lovely proportions. From circa 1790. The top portion consists of an open columned pelmet and shelf with a series of drawers underneath. All made of rosewood. The bottom section is a double door cabinet with double shelving inside. The façade of the doors consist of glorious gilded latticework frames with rose shaped connectors and with brown silk blinds...

A Pair of Regency Cream, Black and Gilt-Japanned Display Cabinets Late 18th Century/Early 19th Century Provenace; Doris Duke Collection Each wi...

18th Century Alpine Baroque Inlaid Small Cabinet Fitted with Drawers. Charming, small Alpine cabinet, likely Swiss, with geometric inlaid decoration an...

Exquisite antique english oak 18th century Georgian era chest of drawers~~brass lion pulls with upper shelf and gallery~~pre-1800 A must have~~gorg...

Circa 1780-1800 George III corner cabinet, English. Mahogany. A handsome example with reeded astragal diamond glazed upper doors flat paneled lower doors. Well figured flame ma...

A stunning early 18th century Spanish ebonized fruitwood, rosewood, bone and ormolu specimen cabinet. The cabinet is raised on its original base with beautiful spiral legs and block ...

Rustic Armoire in solid oak, France 18th century. This old cabinet was unearthed in a farm in the Pyrenees, it is an authentic piece of rustic furniture. Handcrafted in the 1700s, made from raw wooden...

18th century Baroque cabinet with secretaire, Germany, 1760, walnut veneer. Beautiful piece in excellent condition, professionally rest...

Absolutely Amazing Antique Safe, Important, Continental Iron Hobnail Studded, 58 Ins., 17th/18th Century, 16-1700's! Explore the charm of the past with our Antique Safe, an importan...

A very simple and plain Chinese round corner and tapered cabinet produced early 18th century from mixed hardwoods, with later restorations and rep...

18th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorated Cabinet is hand-painted and features beautifully rendered neoclassical motifs-garlands, scrolls, urns, and foliate elements. The central d...

A light-brown, grey white antique Swedish Baroque two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed Scandinavian cabinet is composed with two upp...

This magnificent Italian 18th century cabinet is beautifully painted and comes to the store from Bologna. On the lower portion, the piece ...

These Directoire period metal doors were once window shutters on an 18th century French chateau that now have been repurposed and made into doors for this cabinet which can lend itse...

A large-sized Swedish 18th century period Baroque "Kas" or "kast" cabinet with low relief carvings of foliage and lions heads. This antique wardrobe from Sweden features a nicely mol...

Impressive Baroque wardrobe from Germany, dated 1747. This exceptional cabinet is crafted from solid oak with beautifully contrasting walnut inlays in the door panels, showing subtle...

Georgian mahogany corner cabinet A late 18th to early 19th century Georgian mahogany glazed corner cabinet. The cabinet has a si...

The two-door armoire or wardrobe has a cherry wood veneer with walnut fluting. Pierce-carved crown with dentil molding. Canted corners adorned with emerald green Egyptian caryatid pi...

William and Mary Walnut Cabinet on Stand, the cabinet veneered inside and out with oyster patterns within holly boarders and interlace...

Circa 1770. An English George III pine two tier corner cupboard with swan neck pediment, fitted four shaped shelves enclosed by two pairs of panelled doors...

Rare baroque cabinet with a trompe-l’œil design: the two-door lower section and two-door upper section are visually conceived to resemble a commode. The upper portion is crowned by a...

Interesting 18th century painted oak Dutch display cabinet with a lovely size. 1780. Code: 8831 Dimensions: W: 37.5" (95.3 cm) H: 81" (205.7 ...

A Spanish Walnut Vargueno with Base, 18th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: ...

A charming George III yew wood, satinwood and floral marquetry bombe secretaire cabinet circa 1770 attributed to Ince and Mayhew. The shaped top has elegant eared corners above a pair of cupboard...

A late 18th Century Sheraton period harewood Display Cabinet on Stand, of unusual small proportions. The piece, with yew-wood panels crossbanded throughout in purpleheart, having ar...

Elegant fir cabinet, finely carved and decorated with tempera in shades of white, yellow, brown, black, and green. The structure features rounded corners and bracketed feet that enha...

Excellent French Louis XV period armoire built with book matched panels.

This handsome, well-patinated piece hails from Alsace, France. The molded and dentil cornice sits above a cherub-decorated frieze and stepped architrave that is supported by three Cl...

A large two-door Baroque wardrobe crafted from solid oak in the 18th century. The wardrobe features a strongly profiled base zone and doors with intricately designed paneling, with t...

A rare chinoiserie standing double corner cabinet, or cupboard. English, George I-period, ca 1720. Often erroneously referred to as lacquer work, this is japanned. Beautifully decorated with idyllic scenes of rockwork, pagodas, people, trees, birds, water, with bridges and a boat. This is a lovely and very useful addition to a room - where corners can present furnishing dilemmas - and this is a chic antique drinks cabinet. These have always been very hard to find, as opposed to the more usual Georgian hanging corner cupboards...

French Walnut inlaid star blind door cask with carved molded edge cornice, centered floral shell medallion, flanking intertwined ribbon, floral, fruit, and tassel motifs, original ir...

Exclusive mahogany cabinet from Louis XVI epoque. With gilt bronze ornаments, brass cannelures and three shelves inside and a small drawer infront, France, circa 1790. The piece is i...

18th century oak enfilade from France with beveled edge around the top and a plate rail along the back. the sides are paneled and the front contains three p...

With double arched top over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to a red interior fitted with drawers and shelves, the base with slant lid des...

Exceptional Swedish 18th Century cabinet in its untouched and original paintwork.This superb piece features a wonderfully carved pediment that sits above two beautiful doors that are...