Aesthetic Movement Cabinet
Collinson and Lock. (makers)
c. 1888
Ebonised mahogany decorated with Japanese cloisonné
Panels 66 x 48 x 18 inches (168 x 122 x 45.7 cm)
The use of authentic Japanese paper or lacquer work panels in furniture became very fashionable during the 1870s, but use of cloisonné is unusual as such work required very high skills and was consequently very expensive. The manufacture of this cabinet is of high quality, and it may have been made by one of number of firms such as Collinson & Lock as a one-off for a client. This would explain why there is no makers stamp: often commercial pieces only were marked, special commissions did not need to be.