Beschreibung:

A highly important French 'Japonisme' ormolu, patinated bronze, cloisonne enamel, silvered, gilt and copper 'galvanoplastie'-mounted palissander and ebony encoignure cabinet-on-stand By Christofle & Cie., Paris, 1874-8 The upper section with three-quarter faux-bambou superstructure supporting a shelf above a pair of climbing dragons and with a further pair of dragons to the angles, the convex-fronted cabinet with central frieze drawer with butterfly pull over a framed cloisonné panel depicting a butterfly and blossoming branches, against a latticework ground, flanked to each side by a further drawer, the square front applied with a Fo dog mask and ring handle against an enamelled ground, above a door with central shaped relief panel depicting a geisha with wolf below blossom and bamboo and with vessels to the foreground, signed to the lower right CHRISTOFLE & C I E , with stylised foliate hinges and locks, with studded reverse and interior fitted with two shelves, the side panels with central framed reserve depicting blossoming branches, against a latticework ground, with panelled sides, the base applied with foliate-etched clasps and centred by a pierced lotus flower mount, the conforming shaped stand with stiff-leaf frieze, above pierced fretwork terminating in stylised foliage, resting on five legs joined by a stretcher, on leaf-form feet, the underside with shield-shaped paper U.S. Customs label inscribed Serial: 1108/Lot: C.C.&C.17 76¾ in. (195 cm.) high; 33¼ in. (84.5 cm.) maximum width; 26 in. (66 cm.) maximum depth