US$3,347.38 This is a beautiful antique French Napoleon III mahogany and ormolu mounted marquetry pier cabinet in the grand Louis XV style, circa 1860 in date. The cabinet has fabulous marquetry floral decoration with garlands and urns together with fabulous gilded bronze ormolu mounts. The marquetry panelled door opens to reveal a capacious interior with two shelves. It is surmounted with a striking Rouge Griotte marble top and it stands on elegant ormolu mounted feet. It is an absolutely delightful piece which will enhance any room in which it is placed. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 116 x Width 85 x Depth 40 Dimensions in inches: Height 3 feet, 10 inches x Width 2 feet, 9 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches Marquetry is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, mother of pearl, pewter, brass silver or shell) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers. The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique. Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the...