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Significant Writing Cabinet Cantourgen
Ref: 2514
Significant Writing Cabinet Cantourgen
Ref: 2514
Significant Writing Cabinet Cantourgen
Circa 1760
213 x 120 x 75 cm (83⁷/₈ x 47¹/₄ inches)
213 x 120 x 75 cm (83⁷/₈ x 47¹/₄ inches)
Provenance: Collection of Mr. and Mrs. McGill, North Yorkshire England
Literature: Heinrich Kreisel/Georg Himmelheber, The Art of German Furniture, Vol. III, Munich 1973, Plates 1031 and 1033
Contributions to the History of the City of Mainz, Vol. 14, Ed. Fritz Arens, 1955, Plates 58 and 59
Contributions to the History of the City of Mainz, Vol. 14, Ed. Fritz Arens, 1955, Plates 58 and 59
Exhibition: Mainz State Museum
Description: Walnut veneer on softwood, engraved and fire-shaded boxwood, ebony
The upper section, with a molded pediment above the parquet-decorated doors, encloses a pine-lined interior with two shelves, all between chamfered supports. Inside are six small drawers. The lower section consists of a curved chest of drawers with two deep drawers and a molded apron on sturdy cabriole legs. Excellent patina.
The term "Cantourgen" is derived from the term "Cantor" or "Cantour" for office, which was common in the Mainz-speaking area at the time. The diminutive form, in turn, with the addition of "gen" for "chen," gave rise to the term "cantourgen," which means "small office." The characteristic stylistic features of a Mainz writing cabinet are the corner pilasters, beginning in the volute feet and extending the entire height of the cabinet, with volute handles and crowning carved rocaille capitals. Many of the so-called cantourgene cabinets were created as masterpieces and are considered the pinnacle of German cabinetmaking.
The upper section, with a molded pediment above the parquet-decorated doors, encloses a pine-lined interior with two shelves, all between chamfered supports. Inside are six small drawers. The lower section consists of a curved chest of drawers with two deep drawers and a molded apron on sturdy cabriole legs. Excellent patina.
The term "Cantourgen" is derived from the term "Cantor" or "Cantour" for office, which was common in the Mainz-speaking area at the time. The diminutive form, in turn, with the addition of "gen" for "chen," gave rise to the term "cantourgen," which means "small office." The characteristic stylistic features of a Mainz writing cabinet are the corner pilasters, beginning in the volute feet and extending the entire height of the cabinet, with volute handles and crowning carved rocaille capitals. Many of the so-called cantourgene cabinets were created as masterpieces and are considered the pinnacle of German cabinetmaking.
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Significant Writing Cabinet Cantourgen