19Th Century Flemish Carved Oak Cabinet On Stand With Lion Masks C.1850-1880
Stock No
WA182
2023
- £1,450.00
- €1,671 Euro
- $1,953 US Dollar
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Item Description
This impressive carved oak cabinet dates from the mid-19th century and is best attributed to the Flemish or Northern European tradition, where deeply worked oak furniture continued to celebrate Renaissance forms, symbolism and architectural strength long after they had faded elsewhere.
The façade is richly carved with bold geometric panels centred by expressive masks, flanked by vertical carved pilasters and crowned by a frieze of scrolling foliage populated with lion heads and grotesque faces. These elements are not merely decorative: they speak to a long tradition of symbolic carving, where lions represented strength, guardianship and authority, while grotesque and cherubic masks added both visual drama and protective connotations.
The cabinet opens to reveal a thoughtfully arranged interior of small drawers over a central cupboard space, originally intended for the organised storage of documents, valuables or household accounts. Raised on a decorative and robust oak stand, the piece gains presence and practicality while maintaining stylistic sympathy with the upper cabinet.
Brief Historical Note
During the mid-19th century, Flemish and Northern European workshops experienced a renewed interest in Renaissance and early Baroque furniture forms, often referred to as Renaissance Revival; at this time in England the Victorian Gothic revival was also prominent and this is very fitting within this era too. Oak remained the material of choice, prized for its durability, richness and suitability for deep carving.
Cabinets of this type were status pieces, designed to demonstrate both craftsmanship and cultural literacy. The inclusion of lion masks reflects a long-standing heraldic and architectural language common across Flemish, Dutch and Northern European design, where such imagery conveyed power, vigilance and continuity with the past.
Item Info
Seller
Seller Location
Poling, Sussex
Item Dimensions
H: 148cm W: 143cm D: 64cm
Period
19th century
Item Location
United Kingdom
Seller Location
Poling, Sussex
Item Location
United Kingdom
Seller Contact No
+44 (0)7717 321455
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