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ID #SA991589
FOR SALE
£4,500
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Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C
Regent Antiques
for sale €5,265     $5,715
£4,500
Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016
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  • About Us
    We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
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    Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA991589
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Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C

19th century
For Sale by Regent Antiques
Description

This is a stunning antique French Kingwood and Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet, in the Louis XV manner, Circa 1880 in date, with exquisite hand painted decoration and exquisite ormolu mounts.

The top has serpentine glass sides with a central bow glazed door and two glass shelves. The lower door has a beautiful hand painted panel, the painting depicting a courting couple in a garden, and it opens to reveal a capacious cupboard. The side panels have stunning paintings of riverscape scenes and the interior is lined in a stunning pink plush fabric.

It is raised on elegant outswept ormolu mounted legs, and is complete with working locks and keys.

This magnificent piece is in excellent condition and the quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.

Add a touch of unparalleled French elegance to your home.

Provenance:

Private Scottish Collection, Morayshire

Condition:

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

Dimensions in cm:

Height 191 x Width 79 x Depth 41

Dimensions in inches:

Height 6 foot, 3 inches x Width 2 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches

Vernis Martin

is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans, snuffboxes and clocks. The process of adding bronze or gold powder to green varnish was perfected by the French brothers Guillaume and Etienne-Simon Martin, hence its name “Vernis Martin”, as Vernis is French for varnish. It is said to have been made by heating oil, copal and amber and then adding Venetian turpentine and the Martin brothers perfected the process with inclusions in the varnish, sprinkling spangles of silver plated copper wire into the wet varnish ground. Highly praised by Voltaire, it was developed to imitate East Asian lacquerware which was being imported into France during the Louis XV period. Vernis Martin was made in several colours, green, black and a golden red being the most characteristic.

Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

Our reference: A3308

Physical Dimensions
Height
191cm (75.20")
Width
79cm (31.10")
Depth
41cm (16.14")
Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Vernis Martin Vitrine Cabinet to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA991589
Dealers Internal Reference
A3308
Description
This is a stunning antique French Kingwood and Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet, in the Louis XV manner, Circa 1880 in date, with exquisite hand painted decoration and exquisite ormolu mounts.

The top has serpentine glass sides with a central bow glazed door and two glass shelves.

“
The lower door has a beautiful hand painted panel, the painting depicting a courting couple in a garden, and it opens to reveal a capacious cupboard.
Regent Antiques

The side panels have stunning paintings of riverscape scenes and the interior is lined in a stunning pink plush fabric.

fig 1. A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
fig 1. Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C

It is raised on elegant outswept ormolu mounted legs, and is complete with working locks and keys.

This magnificent piece is in excellent condition and the quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.

fig 2. A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
fig 2. Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C

Add a touch of unparalleled French elegance to your home.

Provenance:

Private Scottish Collection, Morayshire

Condition:

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

fig 3. A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
fig 3. Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 191 x Width 79 x Depth 41

Dimensions in inches:

Height 6 foot, 3 inches x Width 2 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches

Vernis Martin

is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans, snuffboxes and clocks. The process of adding bronze or gold powder to green varnish was perfected by the French brothers Guillaume and Etienne-Simon Martin, hence its name “Vernis Martin”, as Vernis is French for varnish. It is said to have been made by heating oil, copal and amber and then adding Venetian turpentine and the Martin brothers perfected the process with inclusions in the varnish, sprinkling spangles of silver plated copper wire into the wet varnish ground. Highly praised by Voltaire, it was developed to imitate East Asian lacquerware which was being imported into France during the Louis XV period. Vernis Martin was made in several colours, green, black and a golden red being the most characteristic.

fig 4. A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
fig 4. Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C

Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

fig 5. A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
fig 5. Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

Our reference: A3308

Height
191cm (75.20")
Width
79cm (31.10")
Depth
41cm (16.14")
Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this Vernis Martin Vitrine Cabinet to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA991589
Dealers Internal Ref
A3308
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2016

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Regent Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
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Archive I A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.

Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C

Archive II A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View II
Archive III A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XII
Archive XIII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XIII
Archive XIV A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XIV
Archive XV A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XV
Archive XVI A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XVI
Archive XVII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XVII
Archive XVIII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XVIII
Archive XIX A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XIX
Archive XX A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XX
Archive XXI A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XXI
Archive XXII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XXII
Archive XXIII A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XXIII
Archive XXIV A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XXIV
Archive XXV A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section. View XXV
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Regent Antiques

Regent Antiques
Telephone 020 8809 9605 or 020 8802 3900
Location
Manor Warehouse
318 Green Lanes
London
N4 1BX
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
Items For Sale 659
Items Sold 2,603
Regent Antiques
Regent Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2016
View Dealer Info
Location: Manor Warehouse, 318 Green Lanes, London, N4 1BX, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/regentantiques
Verified
Sep 2016
For Sale
659
Sold
2,603
A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C
Ref: SA991589
A 19th-century French Louis XV style Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet with curved glass upper panels, gilt bronze mounts, and hand-painted courtly scenes on the lower section.
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FAQs

Developed by the Martin brothers in 18th-century France, Vernis Martin is a decorative lacquering technique designed to imitate East Asian lacquerware, frequently incorporating hand-painted romantic scenes and lustrous gilded underlayers.

These cabinets were crafted using hardwood frames veneered with fine timbers such as kingwood or walnut, fitted with cast ormolu (gilt bronze) mounts, hand-blown curved glass panels, and lacquer-painted wooden lower sections.

Authentic period pieces display hand-chased gilt bronze mounts with subtle casting marks, finely detailed hand-painted panels exhibiting natural micro-craquelure, and traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery on the framework.

Position the cabinet as a focal architectural feature in a dining room, hallway, or drawing room, utilizing the glass shelves to showcase curated porcelain, glassware, or sculptured items.

Dust surfaces regularly with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, keeping the cabinet positioned away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent cracking or fading of the painted Vernis Martin lacquer.
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