A Cologne inlaid cabinet
Walnut, chestnut, maple, plantain and bog oak on oak, with replaced iron mountings and locks. Two-doored lower section on square bun feet inlaid with vases of flowers and parrots; recessed upper section with two doors inlaid with scenes from the story of Samson behind two columns of square section. Painted inventory nos. to the reverse: G.14 (?) and G.7 (?). Old repairs over earlier insect damage, minor losses, the surface slightly faded in places, veneer of the base and feet replaced. H 182, W 139, D 61.5 cm.
Attributed to Melchior von Rheidt, ca. 1600 with ammendments.
The present work is a typical example of an inlaid cabinet from Cologne. These pieces typically display a two-doored lower section below a smaller, recessed upper section, also with two doors, surmounted by a protruding gable supported on both sides by columns. The cabinets were used for storage but were also highly representational pieces and could be used to display valuable items.
We would like to thank Dr. Ursula Weber-Woelk and Mr. Andreas Krupa for their support in cataloging these works.
Provenance
Kloster Calvarienberg, Ahrweiler.
Literature
Cf. this type in: Colsman, Möbel, Gotik bis Jugendstil, Cologne 1999, p. 168 ff.
Cf. Werhahn-Fleischhauer, Melchior von Rheidt und die Frage der Kölner Intarsienmöbel, in: Der Riss im Himmel, vol. I, Cologne 1999, p. 255 ff.
Very similar strapwork/arabasques found on a linen cabinet from ca. 1600 in the Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln (Colsman, Möbel, Gotik bis Jugendstil, Cologne 1999, p. 170-172). These ornaments are based on designs by the engraver Jakob Guckeisen of Cologne, and Johann Jakob Ebelmann of Strasbourg, who together published the "Schweyfbuch" in Cologne in 1599.