An exceptional antique French Vernis Martin bombé cabinet dating from circa 1900, combining richly figured timber, luminous painted decoration and finely cast gilt-bronze mounts in the opulent Louis XV taste.The cabinet is distinguished by its elegant serpentine marble top, dramatically curved bombé form and extensive decorative panels depicting romantic figures within atmospheric woodland landscapes. Executed in the traditional Vernis Martin manner, the painted scenes display warm amber, russet and golden tones that contrast beautifully with the deep colour and diagonal figuring of the surrounding veneers.Finely modelled gilt-bronze mounts enrich the cabinet throughout. Classical female mask mounts descend from the upper corners into scrolling acanthus decoration, while additional foliate mounts frame the painted panels and embellish the shaped apron and front legs. The principal door opens to reveal a useful interior storage compartment, with the reverse retaining a rich red ...