A mythological armoire Comtat Venaissin early 17th-Century

Small mythological cabinet from the Comtat Venaissin from the early 17th century, in polychromy of lacquer and gilded varnish; its rectangular frame in maritime pine is assembled with mortise and tenon joints on the front and keyed on the back, surmounted by a fixed molded cornice and provided with flat sides. It opens on the front by two quadrangular doors with fixed frames; these are articulated by hammered metal hinges. The whole rests on feet with skates sculpted with human faces. A very beautiful work all in polychromy adorns all its visible faces. The false frame doors, stage six mythological paintings. The one on the left represents in the middle part Marcus Manlius Capitolinus accompanied by one of the geese of the Capitol; in the upper part Bacchus figure accompanied by his tiger. The right represents the goddess Minerva helmeted, holding sword and shield. In the upper part, Arachne is represented there, receiving instruction in the art of weaving from Minerva; that she had to face in a competition to find out who was the best weaver. Each of the doors receives in the lower part a representation of Cupid. The upper crosspiece is centered on the mask of the god Mercury wearing his helmet with petases on two caduceus in the form of rods surrounded by two intertwined snakes. On either side of it escapes an architectural ornament, acanthus scrolls and flower baskets. The uprights decorated with plant trellis are each surmounted by coats of arms adorned with the family number wearing a marquis' crown. Each of the sides receives a frieze in keeping with the upper crosspiece. This one surmounts a vertical cartouche with curved angles, having in its center a rosette from which escape garlands of rosebuds. Each of the angles of this one is flanked by spandrels reminiscent of the upper frieze. This beautiful work, all in polychromy, was carried out by Roman craftsmen who came to decorate the homes of the rich contadine nobility of Italian origin from the 16th century. The interior was fitted with three sheathed and braided shelves by its former owner. It should be noted that there are slight wrinkles from time, blocked with keys by our cabinetmaker (photographs on request). Work from the Comtat Venaissin* from the beginning of the 17th century. Dimensions: height 197cm, widths of the upper cornice 123cm, lower 125cm, depths 42cm at the doors, at the base 53.5cm. Interior depth 37.5cm. *The Comtat Venaissin, from 1274, this enclave became a pontifical territory to ensure the security and needs of the papal court in Avignon; After the departure of the popes to Rome in the 15th century, the Comtat Venaissin remained under papal control until 1791 and 1792.