Object Description
This magnificent display cabinet, a true cabinet of curiosities and a curiosity in and of itself, is crafted from ebonised wood fitted with KPM porcelain and gilt bronze mounts. The cabinet contains a large glazed door, opening to two glass shelves. The cabinet is glazed on either side and backed with a large plate mirror. To each side of the large central door are flanking porcelain columns, while above and below the door are friezes of porcelain plaques—four plaques above and four below—painted with scenes of courtly love. The door is situated above a large drawer, the drawer front inset with twin porcelain plaques painted in a manner complementary of those described above. The porcelain, with white and green ground, is painted with pastel shades typical to the Rococo style.
The cabinet is supported by four porcelain toupie feet. Most spectacularly, the cabinet is surmounted by a porcelain crown, the edge of which is flower encrusted, and the face of which is painted with another scene of courtly love. The crest of the crown is modelled to depict a female face, wrought from porcelain and beautifully painted.