A Hispano-Flemish gilt-bronze-and gilt-metal-mounted ivory and tortoiseshell inlaid rosewood and ebonised parquetry and parcel-gilt cabinet on stand the cabinet and the top of the base mid 17th century

the cresting in the form of a balustraded perspective centred by a knight in armour with a row of vases of flowers above a chequerboard floor and a further balustraded gallery and arched cresting above a hinged door centered by an allegorical figure with an oar within a niche flanked by solomonic columns opening to reveal three drawers and a mirrored niche, the whole flanked by a row of four drawers applied with lobed bosses within octagonal mouldings, the canted sides inlaid with a trompe l'oeil niche with a perspective enclosing on one side the gilt-bronze figure of Neptune and on the other a warrior, on a stepped inverted breakfront plinth base on six foliate carved toupie feet; drawers relined in walnut in the 19th century; the base with a canted top inlaid within reserves of scrolling foliage and heart-shaped motifs and a border of guilloche and elliptical mortifs, the front with a later coat-of arms of the Roca de Togores of Valencia, Spain, on later ebonised scrolled supports joined by stretchers

Purchased by the present owner from one of the descendants of the Duques de Luna around 30-40 years ago.

 

 

In overall good conserved condition. An impressive piece which can be placed immediately. The colour overall is slightly lighter and the gilding is less greenish and more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph. The cabinet: The staircase section on the cresting is slightly warped and there is some very minor white paint on the top of the gilt-bronze finials. The hasps on the internal door have lost their gilding but this can be left or easily regilt. The leather pull-out handles are later replacements on the internal drawers and one is off but present. The gilt-bronze finial on the right side towards the rear edge is missing the heart on the top but this is hardly noticeable. There are chips to the ebonising and gilding on the feet which can easily be touched up. The base: The design of the marquetry is very beautiful. There are some hairline cracks and other cracks which have been restored in the past some of which are opening up again but these can be left as they are not too noticeable. There are also some very minor losses, restorations to the tortoiseshell and old very minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age and normal usage which can be left as they are hardly noticeable.
"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:
Frans Defour, Belgische Meubelkunst in Europa, Drukkerij,1993, p.180.    
Luis Feduchi, Historia de los Estilos Meuble Espagnol, Madrid, 1969, p. 206. 
Christopher Wilk, ed., Western Furniture 1350 to the present day, London, 1996, pp. 64-66.                                      

This rare and monumental cabinet represents the pinnacle of cabinet-making in the 17th century incorporating exotic and highly prized materials such as ivory, rosewood and tortoiseshell. It represents a tour de force of Baroque cabinet-making and demonstrates the wealth and sophistication of its aristocratic patron. 
The origins of this cabinet are intriguing in terms of establishing whether it was made in Spain or Flanders. Tortoiseshell cabinets were produced also in Naples and Antwerp, both being Spanish protectorates aswell as in Spain. Although Neapolitan and Spanish cabinets usually had more flat veneers of tortoiseshell on the drawer fronts, it is interesting to note that the raised bosses on this cabinet seem to be more of a feature of Antwerp cabinets, see for example, a cabinet on stand with similarly raised lobed tortoiseshell panel within pierced gilt-metal mounts illustrated by Defour, op. cit., p. 180, with similar raised tortoiseshell bosses and pierced gilt-metal mounts. The offered cabinet is embellished with Solomonic columns, metal galleries and a profusion of pierced gilt-metal mounts, pediments and perspectives and the distictive raises bosses very distinctive of Antwerp 17th century cabinets.  Furthermore, there is a cabinet in tortoiseshell and scagliola in the Victoria and Albert Museum, described as Flemish, Antwerp, ciirca 1650-1660, of architectural outline with raised tortoiseshell bosses on the drawer fronts and pierced gilt-metal mounts, illustrated p. 65, (Museum no. W.8-1965).
However, the decoration of the sides and the table top together with the pine carcass and walnut lined drawers would seem to indicate that it was made in Spain, possibly after Antwerp models or indeed by a Flemish craftsman. The decoration on the sides with the engraved ivory perspectives are more typically Spanish than Flemish.

Although the family purchased the cabinet and stand from the Duques de Luna, the arms on the base are of  Roca de Togores, a Spanish noble family from Valencia. Don Juan Nepomuceno Roca de Torgores y Scorcia, was created Conde (Count) de Pinohermoso in 1790. The Duques (Dukes) de Luna were created by King Ferdinand of Aragón for Don Juan de Aragón, Conde de Ribagorza, Viceroy of Naples and a grandson of King John II of Aragón in 1495.  

A related Antwerp cabinet  with raised bosses and pierced gilt-metal mounts was sold Sotheby's Paris, 23rd February 2005, lot 203 (102,000e).