| Very Important Allen & Brother Walnut Cabinet
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Description: Very Important Victorian Walnut Allen and Brother Cabinet with one door and a lovely gilt incised pediment top with recessed small panels. The form is wonderfully rendered with four outside gilt incised columns on each corner, huge circular cartouches on the front, sides and even the back, and decorated with small wooden balls on the edges (see photos). The center door has more fine gilt incising in each corner and more corresponding gilt work all along the sides and base. The two interior shelves are adjustable and the bottom drawer retains its original brass drop pulls. A very similar cabinet was exhibited by Allen & Brother at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. A May 1996 article in the "Magazine Antique" by Page Talbott states "The most distinctive element on the Allen and Brother cabinet at the Centennial was the curtain-rod motif, possibly inspired by a print of a portiere or taken from one of many published design plates of window hangings." (Please refer to our photo details to see this special feature.) The article continues "Two cabinets by Messrs. Allen and Brothers of Philadelphia (Fig. 1 & 2) were included in Gems of the Centennial, where they were described as two examples that, in beauty of design and workmanship, are fair specimens of the character of their work." Note that Figure 2 in this article is structurally very similar to this cabinet! And finally, "The fame of the Allen and Brother grew after they exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. There they were commended for originality of design, method of construction as tending to durability, and superior workmanship and finish."
We are very pleased to offer this rare example for sale!
Circa: 1876
Dimensions: 79" H x 43" W x 29" D
Finish: Excellent original
Price: $18,500.00
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