17th-Century Augsburg Cabinet

A rare and delightful small travel cabinet with a particularly rich composition.
The fir-wood carcass features marquetry made from a variety of native woods, including walnut, plum, maple, and boxwood.
The craftsmanship is of exceptional quality, both inside and out.
It opens with a drop-front panel, revealing seven drawers (the bottom one designed to look like two) and a small door, all decorated with scenes of "village perspectives" and "wild flora."
The interior of the drop-front panel displays a charming, colorful composition of scrolling foliage and flowers, centered around a medallion containing a bird.
The exterior—including the top, sides, and back—is adorned with intricate geometric marquetry, incorporating chevrons, lozenges, and rosettes set within broad panels of fruitwood, accented by delicate boxwood stringing.
The internal structure is equally well-crafted, evidenced by the meticulous finish of the drawer boxes, which are joined with dovetails and slide upon intermediate wooden shelves.
The four small turnip-shaped feet, the wrought-iron corner mounts, and the original lock and key are all authentic to the piece.
Cabinets featuring marquetry of colored native woods first emerged in the Swabian region of Bavaria—specifically in Augsburg—during the 16th century.
Originally, they were used to furnish "cabinets of curiosities" (Kunstkammern), where art enthusiasts would store their prized possessions, such as coins, medals, and seashells.

Dimensions: H. 19 cm x W. 23 cm x D. 15.5 cm
Augsburg – Southern Germany
Early 17th century