A 17th c. Italian (Lombardy) ebony and ivory inlaid cabinet

Travelling cabinet in Macassar ebony veneer and ivory.
Early 17th century Milanese work (Italy)
Dimensions: h. 42,5 cm, w. 54 cm, p. 35cm

The fall front reveals a series of eight drawers, the lower row constituting a single drawer, and in the center a small door revealing a niche with two drawers. The interior drawers use a system to hide a secret drawer.
Each drawer as well as the inside of the fall front is decorated in ivory marquetry on an ebony background with griffons, birds and peacocks in frames of foliage scrolls. They are fitted with silvered bronze pull buttons in the shape of a lion's head.
The door is decorated with a large bone plaque decorated with an allegory of justice.
The exterior of the fall front receives a careful decoration of arabesques, volutes, flowers, stylized birds in ebony on an ivory background. The large central bone plaque illustrates a mythological scene.
The sides and tops are in ebony veneer and inlaid with ivory fillets, all forming rectangles.
The bronze carrying handles are formed by stylized grotesque heads.
The cabinet rests on four feet.
Openwork brass spandrels are positioned at the corners of the cabinet.
Very good condition

Cabinets with similar decor can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and Museum of Decorative Arts, Milan