Exquisite French 19thc Japanese style display cabinet

An exquisite French late 19th century Japanese style padouk display cabinet attributed to the Parisian cabinetmaker Gabriel-Frederic Viardot (1830-1906) - ADDITIONAL IMAGES CAN BE VIEWED BELOW:

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, ivory 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.

Please note: the items displayed on the cabinet are not included.

Registered as exempt under the Ivory Act 2018