Germany, circa 1600 and later

A rare late sixteenth century South German Ausberg cabinet comprised of eleven drawers surrounding a central tabernacle fitted with a further bank of secret drawers hidden behind a drop down slide to the left. The façades decorated with elaborate stained marquetry in various fruitwoods depicting architectural elements, hunting figures and various dogs surrounding the central panels showing a lion and unicorn. These scenes are likely inspired by the drawings and engravings of Lorenz Stöer (Nuremburg, c. 1537-1621), a prolific artist whose pastoral and wild animal-themed work significantly influenced the craftsmen of the time.

The cabinet has been later adapted by an English collector in the early eighteenth century, fitted with figured walnut crossbanded double doors to reveal the marquetry interior, and mounted upon a walnut chest of drawers with ring pull handles and feather banding, all supported on bracket feet.

Height 139.00cm

Width 101.50cm

Depth 45.50cm