A fine and rare scagliola collector's cabinet, Augsburg second half 17th century

of architectural shape, the ebonised wood structure inlaid with panels of scagliola, worked in colours alternating pink, white, dark and grey, a small compartment on the top with sliding cover, above a pair of drawers, the sides and the two-door front of the cabinet inlaid with scagliola panels worked with Renaissance archways resting on black and white tiled floor, inside ten drawers grouped around a central door, all inlaid in scagliola en suite, retaining miniature lock of finest quality shooting one bolt from onion-shaped key chamber, this central compartment fitted with a stack of four drawers concealing five further small drawers, the base also fitted with a pair of drawers and raised on turned fruitwood feet of later date; together with a small table of ebonised wood in Baroque style and serving as a stand

The very fine, central lock suggests that this may have been supplied by Michel Mann. This craftsman is well known for his miniature caskets, pistols and locks.