Cotswold House Antiques

Description

A Stunning & Rare Pair of Antique Glazed Display Cases or Vitrines

Seldom seen like this.....these are quite simply a wonderful find and virtually unrepeatable.

These beautiful English display cases date to around c.1900 and are in the chinoiserie style that was first made popular in the Georgian period.

The surfaces all feature a red lacquer type finish, which is further embellished with slightly raised (gessoed) chinoiserie designs of foliage, pagodas, dragons and exotic birds.

Of unusually petite and delicate proportions, these cases are incredibly elegant and somewhat feminine in style what with their long, tapering cabriole legs and splayed pad feet.

The glazed tops, which separate from the bases, each feature a glass shelf, with the lower display area similarly inset with a glass surface (set over a panel of pink silk 'moire' type fabric). The glass shelves are later glass but every outer pane of glass which makes up the cases are old and original, displaying much rippling, variation and flaws (bubbles etc).

These are the perfect display cases for treasured objet d'art and bijouterie of many kinds....silver, English chinoiserie themed china, Chinese porcelain, Asian artefacts...or indeed natural history items, as shown.

These are a matched pair - there is a very, very slight difference in size (a few mm) and to the shape of the moulding. Also, one cabinet has a slightly different tone of red and is less embellished than the other - the framework which makes up the upper glazed display area is embellished with gilt, whilst the other is not. These differences are not immediately obvious - not even when the cabinets are placed side by side, and certainly they become indistinguishable when placed apart (for example, flanking a fireplace).

They would look stunning in a period Georgian townhouse, or similar, and their diminutive proportions ensure they are easily accommodated....even within interiors of modest proportions.

One of the best furniture lots of their kind you're likely to see for some time and an incredible find for the collector, the interior designer or decorator.

Do not miss them - I will never have another pair of cabinets quite like this.

Dimensions -

Petite - approx 116 cms high x 31 cms deep x 60 cms wide.

Condition -

Used. In unrestored 'country house' condition. Some historic repairs and making good to the legs. Surface wear and some chipping to red lacquer. Chipping and wear away to raised gilded gesso areas. Very slight movement to a few of the legs, but essentially structurally sound and useable as is, or, could be the subject of restoration.


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