What defines the Adam Revival style in 19th-century cabinetmaking?

Adam Revival furniture, popular during the late 19th century, draws inspiration from the 18th-century Neoclassical designs of Robert Adam, characterised by symmetrical proportions, light timbers, and classical ornamentation such as swags, urns, and husks.

What materials were traditionally used in 19th-century satinwood cabinets?

Fine 19th-century pieces predominantly utilised West Indian satinwood veneers for their golden lustre, often complemented by hand-painted polychrome decoration, fine marquetry inlays, and oak or mahogany drawer linings.

How can one identify authentic 19th-century Adam Revival satinwood pieces?

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-cut dovetail joints, subtle timber oxidisation on unvarnished interior surfaces, fine hand-painted detailing rather than printed transfers, and period-appropriate cast brass hardware.

How can a pair of satinwood side cabinets be incorporated into contemporary interior schemes?

Placing a matching pair symmetrically on either side of a focal point, such as a fireplace or doorway, provides structural balance and introduces warm timber tones to modern classical or transitional spaces.

How should painted satinwood furniture be cleaned and preserved?

Clean gently using a soft, dry microfibre cloth to remove surface dust, avoiding liquid cleaners, commercial solvents, or direct sunlight which can degrade delicate hand-painted motifs and discolour the timber finish.

for sale €7,313 $7,938

£6,250

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Pair of Commodes

Neoclassical Side Cabinet

Antique Satinwood Cupboard

Antique Satinwood Credenza

Sheraton Style Side Cabinet

Id #SA1128521

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Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C

Name: Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1128521
Price: 6250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a gorgeous antique pair of Adam Revival two door satinwood side cabinets with beautiful hand painted floral decoration in the manner of Angelica Kauffman, dating from the late 19th century.

The tops beautifully decorated with a bouquet of flowers, each with a single frieze drawer above a pair of cupboard doors with painted musical trophies within oval panels.

The cabinets are elegantly raised on turned and tapering legs.

Add a touch of elegance to a special room in your home with this superb pair.

With working locks and keys.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 87 cm x Width 83 cm x Depth 41 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 10 inches x Width 2 foot, 9 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Satinwood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satinwood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satinwood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satinwood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

Our reference: A2605

Physical Dimensions

Height

87cm (34.25")

Width

83cm (32.68")

Depth

41cm (16.14")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Satinwood Side Cabinet Pair to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1128521

Dealers Internal Reference

A2605

Description

This is a gorgeous antique pair of Adam Revival two door satinwood side cabinets with beautiful hand painted floral decoration in the manner of Angelica Kauffman, dating from the late 19th century.

“

The tops beautifully decorated with a bouquet of flowers, each with a single frieze drawer above a pair of cupboard doors with painted musical trophies within oval panels.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival satinwood side cabinets featuring hand-painted classical swags, musical trophies, and slender turned legs. — fig 1. Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C

The cabinets are elegantly raised on turned and tapering legs.

Add a touch of elegance to a special room in your home with this superb pair.

With working locks and keys.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 2. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival satinwood side cabinets featuring hand-painted classical swags, musical trophies, and slender turned legs. — fig 2. Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 87 cm x Width 83 cm x Depth 41 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 10 inches x Width 2 foot, 9 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

fig 3. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival satinwood side cabinets featuring hand-painted classical swags, musical trophies, and slender turned legs. — fig 3. Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

fig 4. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival satinwood side cabinets featuring hand-painted classical swags, musical trophies, and slender turned legs. — fig 4. Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

fig 5. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival satinwood side cabinets featuring hand-painted classical swags, musical trophies, and slender turned legs. — fig 5. Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Satinwood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satinwood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satinwood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

fig 8. A pair of 19th-century Adam Revival satinwood side cabinets featuring hand-painted classical swags, musical trophies, and slender turned legs. — fig 8. Antique Pair Adam Revival Satinwood Side Cabinets Commodes 19th C

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satinwood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

Our reference: A2605