3-008-680 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition - carved ivory [sic] cabinet, by H. Fourdinois, 1862. Piece of furniture made of ebony, '...richly carved in the Renaissance style, the lower portion being divided into three sections by four columns of a somewhat Corinthian character. The central portion is panelled, and has carved upon it in low relief...the Abduction of Proserpine; and this is surrounded by four comer panels, in which are represented Painting, Sculpture, Science, and Literature. The upper portion...has a pair of doors, one of which has Apollo as Morning, and the other Diana as Evening...Immediately above these is a small panel containing Venus rising from the sea; and...statuettes, supported on pedestals of lapis lazuli sustained by griffins...[there are figures] representing Peace and Plenty. The side portions...open...and disclose a series of small cabinet drawers, which are richly engraved with delicate ornament wrought with great feeling...this cabinet is highly to be commended. That it is constructed of wood is apparent, and no attempt is made at imitating in this material what can only be justly done with stone. There is also a total absence of small, jutting-out parts likely to be broken off or injured by the use of the article'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.