Kingwood Marquetry Storage Cabinet
A kingwood marquetry storage cabinet brings together figured exotic timber and elaborate floral inlay, offering both functional storage and striking decorative presence.
Kingwood Marquetry Storage Cabinet
When you search for a kingwood marquetry storage cabinet, you encounter pieces designed primarily for display and concealment in grand interiors. These range from serpentine commodes and side cabinets to drinks cabinets and cartonnier cabinets.
The version you are most likely to meet on this page dates from the nineteenth century, often following French Louis XV or Louis XVI styles. Eighteenth-century examples also appear, alongside twentieth-century revivals.
Such items function as commodes, chests of drawers, and two-door cupboards. They utilise marble tops and bronze mounts to complete their formal appearance.
Factors of Quality
The standard of a kingwood marquetry storage cabinet rests upon the precision of the veneer work and the crispness of the bronze mounts. Finer pieces show seamless transitions in floral inlay where grain directions catch the light naturally.
Heavier, more deeply chased ormolu mounts indicate superior workshop output compared to simpler, cast metal fittings. The harmony between the marble top's profile and the underlying serpentine woodwork also distinguishes better execution.
Materials appearing across the inventory include kingwood, walnut, rosewood, tulipwood, satinwood, marble, ormolu, and gilt bronze.
Paul Sormani·Mercier Frères·Leonard Boudin·Zweiner
The Kingwood Marquetry Storage Cabinet Glossary
- Kingwood
- A dense, heavily figured exotic timber with dark violet-brown and golden streaks, favoured for fine veneering. It was widely used in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century French furniture.
- Marquetry
- The art of forming decorative patterns by fitting together small pieces of veneer of different woods, metals, or shells. Craftsmen applied these assemblies to carcase furniture.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze used for decorative mounts on furniture, clocks, and lighting. The technique involves applying a mercury-gold amalgam to cast bronze before heating.
- Bombe
- A swollen, convex shape characteristic of certain eighteenth-century furniture forms. This undulating profile requires skilled shaping of both the wooden carcase and its marble top.
- Commode
- A low chest of drawers or cabinet designed for domestic storage. In French pieces, these often feature marble tops and elaborate mounts.
Kingwood Marquetry Storage Cabinet: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kingwood marquetry storage cabinet?
It is a piece of furniture finished with patterned wood veneers and fitted for storage, often taking the form of a commode or side cabinet.
These items rely on exotic timbers and decorative mounts to serve as focal points in a room.
How do I identify Louis XV style?
Louis XV style pieces are defined by serpentine lines, asymmetrical floral marquetry, and curved cabriole legs.
They frequently feature ormolu mounts shaped like acanthus leaves or scrolls to accent the contours.
Where should I place a marble top cabinet?
Marble top cabinets suit reception rooms, hallways, or principal bedrooms where the stone surface can be appreciated.
Keep them away from direct heat sources to protect the underlying timber and veneer.
How do I clean kingwood and ormolu?
Dust the veneered surfaces regularly with a dry cloth and apply occasional wax suitable for antique furniture.
Avoid abrasive cleaners on ormolu mounts, using instead a soft brush to remove dust from crevices.