PXL_20240329_224707873

The Borghese-Windsor Cabinet

Cabinet: Italian (Rome), about 1620

Fir, walnut, and chestnut veneered with various tropical hardwoods, set with lapis lazuli, jasper, agate, amethyst, and other hard stones; gilt bronze, silver, and silver gilt

Stand: French, before 1821

Beech, mahogany, and oak ebonized and veneered with ebony; ebony columns, lacquered brass; mirrored glass

This cabinet was made in Rome for Pope Paul V Borghese (ruled 1605-21), whose coat of arms is featured above the central niche. Designed to resemble the facade of a Baroque church, it is exceptional in its large size and sumptuous decoration. Expensive and difficult to cut and polish, the numerous hard stones (pietre dure in Italian) covering the front in elaborate geometric patterns demonstrate the rarity of this piece. The statuettes, in gilt bronze and silver, add to its luxuriousness. Such showpiece cabinets - intriguing with their multiple drawers - were the most prominent display furniture in Europe in the 1600s. They could store medals, gems, and small bronzes or ivories as well as private documents. The cabinet, in an English private collection by 1821, was offered for sale with its stand to King George IV (ruled 1820-30). It remained in the British Royal Collection until 1959, when it was sold with the collection of Queen Mary.