Important cabinet Napoleon III. France, late 19th century.

Important cabinet Napoleon III. France, late 19th century. Satinwood. With marquetry of fruit wood and boxwood, ebonised wood, mother-of-pearl inlay and gilt and patinated bronze applications. Measurements: 190,5 x 125 x 39 cm. French Cabinet of Napoleon III style, dated at the end of the 19th century, raised on table with stipe legs connected by means of chambrana. The furniture stands out for its classical forms, which are adapted to a dynamic ornamental pattern, in which the interplay of volumes and materials provides great expressiveness, breaking with the rigidity of the most purist classicism. The cabinet itself has a prismatic structure, typical of this typology, and has two large hinged doors that conceal two shelves inside. The exterior of the cabinet is richly decorated with marquetry, with Renaissance-inspired candelieri ornamentation, which was widely used in France and Spain in different artistic periods. It is a highly stylised, variegated decoration made up of vegetal elements that resemble candelabra, an aspect that determined the term 'candelieri' as it is known in Italian. The exceptional nature of this piece is further enhanced by the mother-of-pearl inlay that completes its front, as well as the gilt-bronze floral motifs that complement the design. In the Napoleon III style, the whole piece is decorated with gilt and patinated bronze applications which, like the rest of the decoration, are continued on the sides of the piece. These are plant motifs that run along the upper friezes on both sides of the table and the cabinet itself. The decoration culminates in certain ebonised elements, both on the legs and on the profile that delimits the candelieri decoration on the front, which increase the dynamism and the play of materials that dominate the entire piece of furniture.