A Dutch lacquered and japanned, mahogany, satinwood, tulipwood, amaranth and marquetry cabinet, probably The Hague Neoclassical, circa 1785

four doors centred by Japanned and lacquered panels below an inlaid canopy with ribbon tide cresting, on stile feet, overall inlaid with fruitwood dentil, ribbon and chevron borders

In overall good condition, minor restorations to the veneer, left upper side panel slightly warped, minor restorations to the wood surrounding the hinges of the doors, the lower right side panel with restored vertical crack, very minor retouches to the laquered panels, losses to the veneer of the plinth, attractive and recommendable piece.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This elegant Dutch cabinet on offer has been executed between circa 1780 and 1795. During this last phase of the development of Dutch Neoclassical furniture a new distinctive preference for light exotic veneers, such as satinwood, occurred. This new type of refined marquetry harmonised with the simplified geometrical motifs that became fashionable in this period and relates to those produced in England in the same years. It was probably inspired by the engraved furniture designs by Hepplewhite and Sheraton, which were published respectively in 1788 and 1794, and were undoubtedly a valuable source of inspiration for Dutch furniture makers.
It is interesting that during this English inspired phase of marquetry furniture, Dutch cabinet-makers often enriched their pieces with panels of Japanese or Chinese lacquer or with japanning. Reinier Baarsen suggests that this decoration may have been a specialty of cabinet-makers working in The Hague where novelties in furniture-making were often first seen. The celebrated The Hague cabinet-maker Matthijs Horrix (1735-1809) was possibly responsible for the introduction of this daring new type of decoration. Horrix, who became Meester Kabinetwerker in 1764, was the principal supplier of furniture to the Stadthouder's Court between 1767 and 1795. He received a commission from Princess Wilhelmina of Prussia - the Stadthouder's consort who admired Horrix's work - in 1780 for a number of commodes inlaid with oriental lacquer provided by the Princess; this is the earliest known reference in the late 18th century to furniture decorated in this manner.

RELATED LITERATURE
R. Baarsen, Nederlandse Meubelen 1600-1800. Dutch Furniture 1600-1800, Zwolle 1993, pp. 128-129.