Dreams Less Sweet Antiques

Description

17th / 18th Century oak church tabernacle wall hanging cabinet. Probably French.

Tabernacles were receptacles reserved for the Eucharist (wine and bread commemorating the life and blood of Christ). Tabernacles generally would have been located at the altar in a church or used in a private chapel.

Very ornate and highly decorative religious antique cabinet.

Internal space to display a religious artefact or sculpture.

The facade bordered with moulding and flanked by winged angel heads either side, with breakfront upper corners centred by an angel head appliqué swagged with drapery. The pierced arch-topped panel door backed with crimson damask enhancing the elaborately carved scrollwork grille incorporating a pair of winged angels bearing a chalice with sacred host emitting sun rays to the centre. The interior lined with silk damask. The moulded base capped by a carved appliqué enriched with crested acanthus scrolls, a winged angel head and pendant finial.

Good condition for the age. Structurally strong and solid. Some small loses to the intricate carvings on the door. The key for the door is missing. Faded colour to the silk damask, and stains to the back of the inside. The outer carvings are all intact and overall the piece displays very attractively.

2 wall hanging brackets at the back.

Cabinet H: 70 x W: 39 x D: 26 cm.

Internal Cabinet Space H: 39 x W: 20 x D: 18.5 cm.