This magnificent architectural cabinet with hardstones inlaid in a geometric design is part of a distinct group of cabinets which were executed in Rome in the middle of the 17^th century. Not only highly prized at the time of their commission for their intrinsic value displaying the beauty of stones and the highly skilled Roman craftsmanship, they also appealed later to Grand Tourists in the 18th and 19th centuries ﷽aꦕnd still to collectors today.

Related examples with a three-quarter gallery and similar escutcheons include one sold at Sotheby’s, London, 9 July 2014, lot 4 from the collection of the Dukes of Northumberland and another similar including a gallery above the central cupboard door sold 🌼at Christie’s, London, 3 November 2016, lot 386. A further example with a typical geometrical composition was sold at Bonhams, London, 17 June 2009, lot 1.

Other cabinets from important collectioꩵns and from the same group of Roman 17th century cabinets with rich inlays are recorded in public and private collections with the cabinet known as the ‘P💫ope's Cabinet’ in the Cabinet Room at Stourhead, Wiltshire which once belonged to Pope Sixtus V and the William Beckford pietre dure cabinet which once belonged to the Borghese family representing the epitome of Roman hardstone cabinets.

The appeal for hardstone inlaid cabinets

The foundation of the appeal for Roman inlaid cabinets is rooted in the archaeological discoveries in Rome from the 16th century onwards, which raised a great enthusiasm for all things related to Antiquity. Rome became a magnet for discerning collectors, and antique marbles began to be employed on Roman works of art. The desire to emulate the art of Ancient Rome, together with the craze for precious materials (of which Rome had an abundant supply) combined towards the middle of the 16th century to give rise to the Roman inlaid marble works known as commessi (from the Latin committere, to join together). The distinctive featur💦e of these elaborate cabinets was their structure which included characteristic elements of Mannerist ♊architecture, for example, a pediment, pilasters, columns on a façade concealing secret drawers. Whilst Roman cabinets opted for geometrical compositions using stones such as jaspers, agates and lapis lazuli, Florentine ones displayed more naturalistic motifs including flowers and birds.

There were large numbers of highly skilled craftsmen in 17th century Rome, many of whom were Lombard in origin, although the attribution to specific makers for these cabinets still remains unresolved. But the skills of theirs makers, the beauty and rarity of cabinets like the present are evident due to the stunning contrast of the colours and brilliance of the variou🃏s precious hardstones and the gilt-bronze ornamentation.