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ID #SA1233649
FOR SALE
£1,050
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Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
for sale €1,229     $1,334
£1,050
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2012
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Id #SA1233649
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Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet

1900 - 1920
Description

A highly decorative antique French mahogany Vernis Martin gilt-bronze display cabinet dating from circa 1890, combining richly coloured mahogany veneers, painted romantic panels, extensive gilt-bronze mounts and elegant glazed display sections.

Of tall and slender proportions, the cabinet has a wonderfully refined late-19th-century French appearance and offers strong decorative impact without requiring the floor space of a larger vitrine.

Key Features

French display cabinet dating from circa 1890

Mahoganyveneered construction

Vernis Martin-style painted romantic panels

Extensive gilt-bronze mounts and borders

Glazed front door and glazed side panels

Rich red velvet-lined interior

Internal display shelves

Highly decorative pierced gilt-bronze upper frieze

Pierced gilt-bronze gallery to the top

Cabriole legs with gilt-bronze mounts and sabots

Compact and elegant tall proportions

Craftsmanship & Detail

The cabinet is raised on four elegant cabriole legs, each enriched with gilt-bronze mounts and terminating in decorative sabots. Above, the upper section is particularly impressive, with a finely modelled pierced gilt-bronze frieze incorporating scrolling foliate ornament and draped decoration, continuing around the sides beneath an ornate pierced gallery.

The principal glazed door opens to reveal a deep red velvet-lined interior with display shelves, providing an excellent backdrop for porcelain, glass, silver, objets d’art or a specialist collection. The glazed side panels allow light to pass through the cabinet from several directions and give the piece a more open and elegant presentation.

Below the main glazing is a finely painted Vernis Martin-style romantic scene depicting an elegantly dressed couple within a pastoral landscape. Further painted landscape panels appear to the lower side sections, all surrounded by delicate gilt-bronze borders and contrasting beautifully against the rich mahogany.

Physical Dimensions
Height
139cm (54.72")
Width
67cm (26.38")
Depth
30cm (11.81")
Declaration

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors has dated this Vernis Martin Display Cabinet to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1233649
Description
A highly decorative antique French mahogany Vernis Martin gilt-bronze display cabinet dating from circa 1890, combining richly coloured mahogany veneers, painted romantic panels, extensive gilt-bronze mounts and elegant glazed display sections.
“
Of tall and slender proportions, the cabinet has a wonderfully refined late-19th-century French appearance and offers strong decorative impact without requiring the floor space of a larger vitrine.
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
fig 1. An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
fig 1. Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet

Key Features

French display cabinet dating from circa 1890

Mahoganyveneered construction

Vernis Martin-style painted romantic panels

Extensive gilt-bronze mounts and borders

Glazed front door and glazed side panels

fig 2. An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
fig 2. Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet

Rich red velvet-lined interior

Internal display shelves

Highly decorative pierced gilt-bronze upper frieze

Pierced gilt-bronze gallery to the top

Cabriole legs with gilt-bronze mounts and sabots

Compact and elegant tall proportions

fig 3. An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
fig 3. Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet

Craftsmanship & Detail

The cabinet is raised on four elegant cabriole legs, each enriched with gilt-bronze mounts and terminating in decorative sabots. Above, the upper section is particularly impressive, with a finely modelled pierced gilt-bronze frieze incorporating scrolling foliate ornament and draped decoration, continuing around the sides beneath an ornate pierced gallery.

fig 4. An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
fig 4. Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet

The principal glazed door opens to reveal a deep red velvet-lined interior with display shelves, providing an excellent backdrop for porcelain, glass, silver, objets d’art or a specialist collection. The glazed side panels allow light to pass through the cabinet from several directions and give the piece a more open and elegant presentation.

fig 5. An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
fig 5. Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet

Below the main glazing is a finely painted Vernis Martin-style romantic scene depicting an elegantly dressed couple within a pastoral landscape. Further painted landscape panels appear to the lower side sections, all surrounded by delicate gilt-bronze borders and contrasting beautifully against the rich mahogany.

Height
139cm (54.72")
Width
67cm (26.38")
Depth
30cm (11.81")
Date of Manufacture

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors has dated this Vernis Martin Display Cabinet to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1233649
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2012
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors Profile Page

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An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
1 / 10
Archive I An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.

Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet

Archive II An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View II
Archive III An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View III
Archive IV An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View IV
Archive V An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View V
Archive VI An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View VI
Archive VII An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View VII
Archive VIII An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View VIII
Archive IX An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View IX
Archive X An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior. View X
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Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors

Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Telephone 01446 744271 or 07973 734452
Location
Unit 15
Palmers Vale Business Centre
Palmerston Road
Barry
Glamorgan
CF63 2XA
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/hawkinsbrothersantiques
Verified Since Oct 2012
Items For Sale 156
Items Sold 931
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Lee Hawkins Antiques & Interiors
Verified Since Oct 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Unit 15, Palmers Vale Business Centre, Palmerston Road, Barry, Glamorgan, CF63 2XA, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/hawkinsbrothersantiques
Verified
Oct 2012
For Sale
156
Sold
931
An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
Antique French Mahogany Vernis Martin Gilt Bronze Display Cabinet
Ref: SA1233649
An antique French mahogany vitrine display cabinet featuring hand-painted Vernis Martin panels, gilt bronze mounts, cabriole legs, and a red velvet interior.
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FAQs

Vernis Martin refers to a specialised lacquer technique developed by the Martin brothers in 18th-century France. Designed to imitate Asian lacquerware, it features lustrous shellac coats decorated with hand-painted pastoral scenes, landscapes, or mythological motifs, frequently framed by ornate gilt bronze mounts.

These cabinets are predominantly constructed from fine hardwoods such as mahogany or rosewood, adorned with cast brass or bronze mounts that have been gilded (ormolu). Interior shelves are often lined in silk or velvet, while glass glazing forms the front and side panels.

Authentic period pieces exhibit cast metal mounts fixed with small screws, hand-bevelled or period glass with minor imperfections, dovetail joinery, and natural age patina on the gilt metalwork and timber. Hand-painted panels often demonstrate fine brushwork and natural craquelure in the varnish layer.

A glazed display cabinet serves as a focal statement piece in a hallway, dining room, or living room. It functions effectively when paired with tailored modern upholstery or placed against neutral walls to highlight the gilded detailing and dark wood tones.

Dust surfaces regularly using a soft, dry microfibre cloth. Avoid chemical polishes on gilt bronze as they strip the original gilding, and keep lacquered panels out of direct sunlight and extreme humidity to prevent cracking and fading.
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