BUFFET "À DEUX CORPS",
Renaissance, France, probably Paris, 2nd half of the 16th century.
Walnut, opulently and finely carved. The upper section, the top of which features an interrupted gable and Diana in a framed niche, has paneled double-doors carved with lion heads, palmettes and sculpted eagles. The lower section has 1 drawer over double-doors. The drawer is carved with a winged angel head. The door panels are carved with Allegories of the Four Seasons. The pilasters of the lower section have 4 reserves with depictions of swans and mythical creatures. Both the upper and the lower section have rectangular reserves in black marble and breccia. The lateral walls are paneled. Iron mounts. 1 key.
105 x 42 x 201 cm.

Restorations. Losses and fillings. Locks, later.

A buffet "à deux Corps" from the former Arconati Visconti Collection, which is kept in the Louvre, has a similar interrupted gable with scrolled leaves (Inv.-No. OA 6970). Another such cabinet from the Rothschild Collection of the Château de Ferrières shows a comparable use of the Allegories of Spring and Summer with identical swan medallions and a drawer decorated with a putto head (Sotheby's Auction in Monaco, 3 December 1994, Lot No. 9). Lastly, the item of furniture from the Collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris can also be used as a comparative object (Inv. No. GR 809).