Corner cabinet (encoignure) (one of a pair)

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 virtuoso techniques: a sturdy oak frame veneered in ebony for a sleek contrast, inlaid with rare Coromandel lacquer panels—Chinese screens repurposed from India via maritime trade routes—depicting intricate scenes often featuring graceful women. Gilt-bronze mounts, with scrolling foliage and delicate figures, add playful asymmetry, while the brocatelle marble top provides a polished surface for treasured objects. These elements underscore the era's fascination with *chinoiseries* and the height of French decorative arts. A generous gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman in 1983, this piece invites visitors to imagine the lavish world of 18th-century Paris, where furniture was both functional art and a statement of wealth and sophistication. (218 words)