Items Similar to Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th C
About the Item
This is a stunning antique French louis XV Revival Vernis Martin display cabinet, circa 1880 in date.
The cabinet feature a shaped top with impressive ornate ormolu mounts, the body is serpentine shaped with a glazed ormolu mounted door that features a fantastic Vernis Martin hand painted panel of a courting couple, with the two side panels depicting country scenes.
The interior is lined with the rich original pink fabric which beautifully complements the cabinet.
Complete with original working lock and key.
It is very rare to find such an exquisite cabinet and it is sure to attract a lot of attention from your guests.
Condition:
In really excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 170 x Width 85 x Depth 43
Dimensions in inches:
Height 5 foot, 7 inches x Width 2 foot, 9 inches x Depth 1 foot, 5 inches
Vernis Martin
is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans, snuffboxes and clocks. The process of adding bronze or gold powder to green varnish was perfected by the French brothers Guillaume and Etienne-Simon Martin, hence its name “Vernis Martin”, as Vernis is French for varnish.
It is said to have been made by heating oil, copal and amber and then adding Venetian turpentine and the Martin brothers perfected the process with inclusions in the varnish, sprinkling spangles of silver plated copper wire into the wet varnish ground. Highly praised by Voltaire, it was developed to imitate East Asian lacquerware which was being imported into France during the Louis XV period. Vernis Martin was made in several colours, green, black and a golden red being the most characteristic.
Ormolu (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.
The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.
No true ormolu was produced in France after around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury. Therefore, other techniques were used instead but nothing surpasses the original mercury-firing ormolu method for sheer beauty and richness of colour. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt (also known as vermeil).
- Dimensions:Height: 66.93 in (170 cm)Width: 33.47 in (85 cm)Depth: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1983
1stDibs seller since 2012
1,210 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
LAPADA - The Association of Arts & Antiques Dealers
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Antique French Vernis Martin Vitrine Display Cabinet 19th CBy Vernis MartinLocated in London, GBThis is a stunning antique French wood and Vernis Martin vitrine cabinet, in the Louis XV manner, Circa 1880 in date, with exquisite hand painted decoration and exquisite ormolu moun...Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Cabinets
MaterialsOrmolu
- Antique French Vernis Martin Display Cabinet, 19th CenturyLocated in London, GBThis is a fabulous antique French Louis Revival Vernis Martin ormolu mounted display cabinet, circa 1880 in date. This beautiful cabinet has hand painted decoration, exquisite ormolu mounts and a beautiful marble top. The central panel has a beautiful painting depicting a courting couple in a boat and the two side panels have paintings of country scenes. The cabinet has serpentine glass to the sides with a capacious cupboard in the bottom. Complete with working lock and original key. The quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none. Add a touch of unparalleled style to your home. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 160 x width 88 x depth 34 Dimensions in inches: Height 5 foot, 3 inches x width 2 foot, 11 inches x depth 1 foot, 1 inch Vernis Martin is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans...Category
Antique 1880s French Cabinets
MaterialsMarble, Ormolu
- Antique Large Vernis Martin Bombe' Display Cabinet, 19th CLocated in London, GBA stunning large antique French wood Vernis Martin five panel display cabinet in the Louis XV manner and of extravagantly shaped Bombe form, circa 1870 in date, with exquisite hand painted decoration and exquisite ormolu mounts. It has five decorative Vernis Martin panels with beautiful hand painted decoration, the central panel depicting a courting couple and the others with classical figures in pastoral country scenes. The central panel bears the artists signature, Le Brun. The large central clear serpentine glazed door opening to a large capacious cupboard below, flanked by clear glazed serpentine panels, with further shaped glass on the sides. It is smothered in gorgeous gilded ormolu mounts, the shaped apron with foliate mounts and sabots, standing on cabriole legs. The mirror backed interior is fitted with glass shelves, the lower shelf lined with golden velvet, to display your collection of china or silver beautifully. This magnificent piece is in excellent condition and the quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none. Add a touch of unparalleled style to your home. Condition: In really excellent original condition having only been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: height 193 x width 115 x depth 50 Dimensions in inches: height 6 foot, 4 inches x width 3 foot, 9 inches x depth 1 foot, 8 inches Vernis Martin is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans...Category
Antique 1870s French Louis XV Cabinets
MaterialsOrmolu
- Antique French Louis Revival Vernis Martin Display Cabinet 19th CenturyLocated in London, GBA stunning antique French wood and Vernis Martin bowfront vitrine in the Louis XV manner, circa 1880 in date. It has three quarter glazed bow panelled doors with exquisite hand painted decoration and exquisite ormolu mounts. There are four beautiful panels which have been hand painted and signed by Paoli, a top French 19th century artist, the two central panels with romantic courting couples and the outer two with country scenes. This beautiful cabinet encloses two glass shelves, has a capacious cupboard in the bottom and the interior has been beautifully relined in lemon silk ready to display your collection. This magnificent piece is in excellent condition and the quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none. Add a touch of unparalleled style to your home. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished, waxed and the interior relined in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 168 x Width 166 x Depth 41 Dimensions in inches: Height 5 foot, 6 inches x Width 5 foot, 5 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches Vernis Martin is a lustrous lacquer substitute widely used in the 18th century to decorate furniture and such personal articles as brisé fans...Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Cabinets
MaterialsOrmolu
- Antique French Oval Free Standing Vernis Martin Cabinet Vitrine, 19th CenturyLocated in London, GBThis is a stunning and rare antique French Vernis Martin free standing display cabinet in the Louis XV manner, circa 1880 in date. The cabinet has a rouge marble top with an ormo...Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Cabinets
MaterialsMarble, Ormolu
- Antique Large French Vernis Martin Display Cabinet C1880 19th CenturyLocated in London, GBA stunning antique Louis XV Revival French Vernis Marten five panel display cabinet of extravagantly shaped serpentine form, Circa 1880 in date, with exquisite hand painted decoratio...Category
Antique 1880s Cabinets
MaterialsOther
You May Also Like
- Vernis Martin Display Cabinet French Vitrine PaintedLocated in Potters Bar, GBGorgeous antique French Empire display cabinet or bijouterie We date this wonderful antique to circa 1910 Lovely shape and interplay be...Category
20th Century Cabinets
MaterialsOther
- Antique French Vitrine Display Cabinet Painted Vernis Martin 1870Located in Potters Bar, GBSuperb French antique vitrine - or display cabinet in kingwood Features intricate gilt fixtures include cherub plaques Hand painted panels are after Vernis Martin and show various Ro...Category
Antique 1870s Cabinets
MaterialsKingwood
- French Antique Display Cabinet Vitrine Vernis Martin Painted 1880Located in Potters Bar, GBGorgeous French vitrine with painted panels in the Vernis Martin manner Circa 1880 on this gorgeous display cabinet with original ormolu mounts Bought from a dealer on Marche Biron a...Category
Antique 1880s Cabinets
MaterialsGlass
- French Antique Vitrine Painted Vernis Martin Display Cabinet 1880Located in Potters Bar, GBElegant French antique vitrine or display cabinet Features hand painted panels in the manner of Vernis Martin Hand crafted from kingwood with original ormolu fixtures Great casting t...Category
Antique 1880s Cabinets
MaterialsKingwood
- French Vitrine Display Cabinet Painted Vernis Martin, 1870Located in Potters Bar, GBElegant period French vitrine or display cabinet. We date this to circa 1870 and it features painted panels in the Vernis Martin manner Offered in great shape ready for home use ri...Category
Antique 1870s Cabinets
MaterialsMahogany
- Antique Display Cabinet, Vernis Martin 1890 Angela Kaufman VitrineLocated in Potters Bar, GBWonderful antique hand carved Nepalese buddha statue Classic meditation pose in cross legged lotus pose Hand carved from wood and finished in gil...Category
Antique 1890s Cabinets
MaterialsWood
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Footed Display
French Modern Cabinets
Black Display Case
French Modern Storage Cabinet
Display Cases Used
French Display Cases
Display Cabinets Used
France Display Cabinet
French Display Cabinet
French Display Cabinets
Antique Key Cabinet
Cabinet For Silver
Black French Cabinet
French Two Piece Cabinet
Exquisite Antique Cabinet
French Polish Cabinet
Antique Wood Display Cabinet
Two Antique Display Cabinets