Corner cabinet (encoignure) (one of a pair)
ca. 1745–49
Medium
Oak veneered with ebony and Coromandel lacquer, cherry wood, and purplewood; gilt-bronze mounts; brocatelle marble top
Dimensions
H. 35-7/8 x W. 33-7/8 x D. 26-1/8 in. (91.1 x 86.0 x 66.4 cm)
Classification
Woodwork-Furniture
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1983
Accession Number
1983.185.2a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant corner cabinet, or *encoignure*, crafted Parisian master Bernard II van Rburgh around 1745–49, the exuberant Rococo style of XV's France. One of a matching pair, it was designed to fit snugly into salon corners, maximizing space in opulent aristocratic interiors while serving as a pedestal for displaying porcelain, silver, or curiosities. Van Rburgh, a leading *ébéniste*, was renowned for his innovative use of exotic materials, blending European craftsmanship with global influences to create furniture that radiated luxury and refinement. The cabinet's construction highlights virt...