An Italian ebonised and pewter inlaid cabinet mounted with verre eglomisé panels attributed to the monogramist VBL, Neapolitan mid 17th century

with six drawers, on a later 19^{th century stand}

Much more attractive and vibrant in reality than in the photograph. The balustraded gallery appears to be later and has an old very minor break to the front left corner and would benefit from some attention. There is evidence of previous finials to the gallery. The piece has been rebacked with a metal sheet. The drawers and interior have been re-ebonised. The panels are nicely painted with some very minor losses. There is a crack in the bottom left panel and on the same drawer there are two cracks to the other panel as visible from the photograph. The veneer is lifting slightly from the front at the base of the cabinet and there are some minor chips generally to the ripple cut moulding and some minor losses to the moulding especially to the right side of the stretcher on the base. The stretcher is quite scuffed and scratched. In overall good conserved condition.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
A. Gonzalez-Palacios, Il Gusto dei Principi, Vol. II, Milan, 1993, pp. 116-117, plates 198, 201, 202.
AGP, `A Neapolitan Cabinet decorated with painted glass panels,' Furniture History, Vol. XXI, 1985, pp11-15.

This type of cabinet was popular in Italy in the middle years of the 17th century. The panels indicate the date and geographical origin of the cabinet as although unsigned, they are almost certainly by the same hand  as an established group of painted glass panels some of which bear the signature VBL.

This cabinet with its charmingly painted verre eglomisé panels, on this example depicting Roman emperors, is reminiscent of the work of the Neapolitan cabinet maker known only by his initials VBL. See AGP,op. cit.,  FHS Journal, p. 15, fig. 4, for a set of six very similar glass panels painted with Roman Emperors, the top right of which is signed VBL, (Private Collection, Turin), reproduced here in fig. 1. Furthermore, the panels on this cabinet can also be attributed to the monogramist V.B.L. due to their close similarities to another cabinet with twelve reverse paintings on glass depicting the same subject matter attributed to V.B.L., formerly in the Galerie Kugel, Paris, illustrated by A.G.P., op. cit., p. 116, plate 202, reproduced here in fig. 2.

The origins and further details about this mysterious craftsman remain obscure and his work falls into two distinct categories-the first comprises floral motifs, grotesques, trophies and other decorative elements in colour on a gold ground with the Emperor Vespasian, bearing VBL's signature, from a series of Twelve Caesars demonstrates this aspect of his output (see fig.1 ante). The second group comprises painted panels on a blue ground with copious gold on drapery and other details.

A cabinet with similar panels was offered for sale Le Goût Steinitz, III, Christie's London, 6th December 2007, lot 357.