Viennese Mahogany Cabinet
Magnificent and exceptionally rare high-quality and intricately designed cabinet depicting the “Four Seasons,” with a glass display on top, crafted in mahogany and pyramid mahogany.
The base and the back wall of the lower body are beautifully veneered in multiple mirrored pyramid mahogany. The four columns supporting the upper section in the front, capped by a small cornice, are sculpted in full three-dimensional figures.
The four figures representing the seasons are of extraordinary quality, delicately carved with flowing garments and finely detailed facial features. The hair and attributes of the seasons are meticulously executed.
The upper section, carried by the four figures, is exquisitely adorned with floral and ornamental motifs. In the center of the back wall, there is a faceted mirror framed by carving and two fixed shelves.
The two glass display cases that enclose the central area come with glasses on the front and inner sides, providing ample light for the interior of the cabinets.
The glass cabinets also have two adjustable shelves, intricately carved in a wavy pattern on their front sides.
The actual glass doors are bordered on both sides by two fully sculpted columns adorned with hundreds of carved leaves. The glass surface itself is ornamented with elegantly curved wooden motifs. The cornice is decorated all around with a band of flower and leaves ornamentation, while numerous fully sculpted acorns adorn the upper section.
This salon furniture is undoubtedly remarkable in its craftsmanship and quality, perfectly reflecting the taste of the late 19th century. Especially, this extraordinary display cabinet embodies the style of Vienna’s Ringstrasse buildings.
The use of mahogany and pyramid mahogany indicates the status of the patron, a combination often found in the designs of Adolf Loos. Notably, the Wiener Loos House at Michaelerplatz and the Villa Müller in Prague serve as examples. The influential architect Theophil Hansen’s designs likely had a significant impact on this piece.
Examples of Hansen’s work include the Palais Ephrussi, where he decorated the upper floor’s façade with terracotta caryatids.
Similarly, we find comparable caryatids in the large Palais on the upper Kärntner Strasse, designed by architects Ludwig Förster and Theophil Hansen between 1861 and 1864 for the merchant and banker Eduard Freiherr von Todesco and his brother Moritz.
The Neo-Renaissance-style Palais Todesco stands as one of the earliest buildings of the Ringstrasse era…
An absolutely extraordinary piece of furniture, executed with exceptional craftsmanship, perfectly embodying the Viennese spirit around 1900.
Masterpieces like this, crafted with great attention to detail and skill, will bring joy to many generations to come.
