What is French Japonisme furniture?

French Japonisme furniture refers to 19th-century cabinetmaking influenced by traditional Japanese art and architecture, characterized by asymmetrical layouts, carved dragons, floral motifs, and open fretwork.

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

These cabinets were predominantly crafted from dense hardwoods like padouk, rosewood, or ebony, often highlighted with carved bone, mother-of-pearl inlays, marquetry, and bronze mounts.

How do you identify authentic late 19th-century French Orientalist cabinets?

Authentic pieces feature hand-carved reticulated fretwork, complex joinery, high-quality marquetry or Shibayama-style inlay, and occasionally maker stamps or bronzes associated with renowned Parisian cabinetmakers.

How can a Japonisme cabinet be styled in a modern interior?

A Japonisme cabinet serves as a dramatic focal point in modern spaces, ideal for displaying ceramic collections, glassware, or curated art objects against dark painted walls.

How should antique padouk wood with inlaid panels be preserved?

Keep the piece away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent shrinkage or drying. Clean gently with a soft microfibre cloth and apply beeswax sparingly to protect the wood finish.

for sale €6,728 $7,303

£5,750

LVS Decorative Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2011

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Oriental Style Cabinet

Asymmetrical Display Cabinet

Nineteenth Century Display Cabinet

Id #SA1213780

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Exquisite French Late 19th Century Japanese Style Padouk Display Cabinet Attributed to Gabriel-frederic Viardot

Name: Exquisite French Late 19th Century Japanese Style Padouk Display Cabinet Attributed to Gabriel-frederic Viardot
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1213780
Price: 5750 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

An exquisite French late 19th century Japanese style padouk display cabinet attributed to the Parisian cabinetmaker Gabriel-Frederic Viardot (1830-1906).

This display cabinet consists of a superbly carved open fret pediment to the top with carved dragon to the centre leading down to an arrangement of asymmetrical shelves, cupboards and drawers, each of the open shelves having a superbly carved open fret bracket to each of the top corners, the cabinet is supported by a carved open fret base with central carved lotus flower and terminating on shaped legs.

The cupboard door and drawer fronts are decorated with superbly fine quality inlaid mother of pearl and bone and applied gold and colour lacquer work and retain original silvered decorative handles & escutcheons with original keys.

The larger door depicting a landscape with a seated musician in traditional costume playing a kettle drum, a cherry blossom tree next to him with a stork (or possibly a crane) in flight, lotus flowers and leaves and butterflies. The smaller door decorated with a painted vase with wonderful display of flowers including lotus flowers and insects in a landscape setting, the drawers having flowers and butterfly decoration.

Many of the flora and fauna depicted have symbolic meanings such as the lotus flower: a symbol of purity and devotion, the butterfly: a symbol of springtime and marital bliss, the stork: a symbol of rebirth and creation, the crane: a symbol of happiness and eternal good fortune.

Gabriel-Frederic Viardot (1830-1906) was a Parisian cabinetmaker specialising particularly in Chinese and Japanese style furniture, there being a demand in France at this time for exotic luxury furniture from Asia.

Viardot firstly worked as a sculptor and later set up his own workshops making furniture in 1860 with many craftsman working for him. He exhibited at many exhibitions and gained many awards such as a gold medal in 1889 at the Paris International Exhibition, the following year gaining a gold medal again as well as many other awards in various exhibitions over the years and was also awarded the Knight in the Legion of Honour in 1885.

Although we cannot find any evidence of signature on this cabinet it has many elements of a Viardot piece and is certainly a piece of superb quality, design and workmanship.

This cabinet is in very good condition for age with no missing pieces, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection, the items displayed on the cabinet are not included.

Please note: Registered as exempt under the Ivory Act 2018

Ref: JTEBMBSE

Size:

Height: 63.25'' / 160.5cm

Width: 39'' / 99cm

Depth: 14.75'' / 37.5cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

160.5cm (63.19")

Width

99cm (38.98")

Depth

37.5cm (14.76")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Japonisme Padouk Display Cabinet to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1213780

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS939

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

An exquisite French late 19th century Japanese style padouk display cabinet attributed to the Parisian cabinetmaker Gabriel-Frederic Viardot (1830-1906).

This display cabinet consists of a superbly carved open fret pediment to the top with carved dragon to the centre leading down to an arrangement of asymmetrical shelves, cupboards and drawers, each of the open shelves having a superbly carved open fret bracket to each of the top corners, the cabinet is supported by a carved open fret base with central carved lotus flower and terminating on shaped legs.

fig 1. A late 19th-century dark padouk display cabinet featuring asymmetrical shelving, reticulated fretwork, and inlaid pictorial panel doors. — fig 1. Exquisite French Late 19th Century Japanese Style Padouk Display Cabinet Attributed to Gabriel-frederic Viardot

The cupboard door and drawer fronts are decorated with superbly fine quality inlaid mother of pearl and bone and applied gold and colour lacquer work and retain original silvered decorative handles & escutcheons with original keys.

The larger door depicting a landscape with a seated musician in traditional costume playing a kettle drum, a cherry blossom tree next to him with a stork (or possibly a crane) in flight, lotus flowers and leaves and butterflies.

“

The smaller door decorated with a painted vase with wonderful display of flowers including lotus flowers and insects in a landscape setting, the drawers having flowers and butterfly decoration.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 2. A late 19th-century dark padouk display cabinet featuring asymmetrical shelving, reticulated fretwork, and inlaid pictorial panel doors. — fig 2. Exquisite French Late 19th Century Japanese Style Padouk Display Cabinet Attributed to Gabriel-frederic Viardot

Many of the flora and fauna depicted have symbolic meanings such as the lotus flower: a symbol of purity and devotion, the butterfly: a symbol of springtime and marital bliss, the stork: a symbol of rebirth and creation, the crane: a symbol of happiness and eternal good fortune.

fig 3. A late 19th-century dark padouk display cabinet featuring asymmetrical shelving, reticulated fretwork, and inlaid pictorial panel doors. — fig 3. Exquisite French Late 19th Century Japanese Style Padouk Display Cabinet Attributed to Gabriel-frederic Viardot

Gabriel-Frederic Viardot (1830-1906) was a Parisian cabinetmaker specialising particularly in Chinese and Japanese style furniture, there being a demand in France at this time for exotic luxury furniture from Asia.

fig 4. A late 19th-century dark padouk display cabinet featuring asymmetrical shelving, reticulated fretwork, and inlaid pictorial panel doors. — fig 4. Exquisite French Late 19th Century Japanese Style Padouk Display Cabinet Attributed to Gabriel-frederic Viardot

Viardot firstly worked as a sculptor and later set up his own workshops making furniture in 1860 with many craftsman working for him. He exhibited at many exhibitions and gained many awards such as a gold medal in 1889 at the Paris International Exhibition, the following year gaining a gold medal again as well as many other awards in various exhibitions over the years and was also awarded the Knight in the Legion of Honour in 1885.

fig 5. A late 19th-century dark padouk display cabinet featuring asymmetrical shelving, reticulated fretwork, and inlaid pictorial panel doors. — fig 5. Exquisite French Late 19th Century Japanese Style Padouk Display Cabinet Attributed to Gabriel-frederic Viardot

Although we cannot find any evidence of signature on this cabinet it has many elements of a Viardot piece and is certainly a piece of superb quality, design and workmanship.

This cabinet is in very good condition for age with no missing pieces, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection, the items displayed on the cabinet are not included.

Please note: Registered as exempt under the Ivory Act 2018

Ref: JTEBMBSE

Size:

Height: 63.25'' / 160.5cm