Cigar Cabinet
c. 1867
Medium
Oak, cedar and walnut veneers, patinated bronze, and caning
Dimensions
188 × 122 × 47 cm (74 × 48 × 18 1/2 in.)
Classification
furniture
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
253743
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This cabinet is the work of three artists: a designer, a cabinetmaker and retailer, and a sculptor. The composition balances monumental architectural forms with lively, playful bronzes. Designed as a humidor, it retains its interior drawers for cigars. The cabinet’s sinister creatures were designed by Emmanuel Frémiet, one of the most sensitive and accomplished animal sculptors of the 19th century. He was a professor of zoological drawing in Paris and excelled at creating lifelike imaginary bea...