Title
A Henry V Style Carved Walnut Cabinet
Creator
Date
16th century
Description
A Henry V style carved walnut cabinet (or bahut) (French, believed to be 16th century) of rectangular form. The cabinet has paneled sides and is divided into two sections. The upper half has a fall front panel carved in raised relief at center with the profile of a helmeted Greek warrior in a roundel flanked by two adosse chimeras. The front lower half has two paneled doors carved at center with roundels surrounded by spandrels carved with circles, the roundel on the left door contains a cartouche bearing a lion rampant and the door on the right contains a cartouche bearing a dolphin. The corners of the cabinet are carved with split balusters. The cabinet ends in a molded plinth base and is raised on four stump feet.
The cabinet was purchased by Cornelius Vanderbilt II (1843-1899) at the 1893 Spitzer Auction. Known as the “sale of the century” the Spitzer Auction contained medieval works collected by Frédéric Spitzer (1815-1890), pieces at the auction were purchased by major museums and the elite looking to expand their own collections. However, years later it was discovered that many of Spitzer’s pieces were actually fakes.
The cabinet was purchased by Cornelius Vanderbilt II (1843-1899) at the 1893 Spitzer Auction. Known as the “sale of the century” the Spitzer Auction contained medieval works collected by Frédéric Spitzer (1815-1890), pieces at the auction were purchased by major museums and the elite looking to expand their own collections. However, years later it was discovered that many of Spitzer’s pieces were actually fakes.
Cultural Origin
French
Medium
walnut
Extent
50" x 50" x 21.25"
Collection
Source
Gift of Countess Alice S. Hadik, 1975.
Identifier
PSNC.2986
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.