Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

+17th century Dutch renaissance two door portal cabinet with exotic carvings

About the Item

On offer here is a very rare Dutch cabinet made of the finest European summer oak in the tradition of the Dutch Renaissance during the “Dutch Golden Age” The cabinet was made in the Dutch province of Utrecht at the end of the 17th century, circa 1680. Its arched doors are typical for cabinets originating in this province and this type of cabinet is also known as “Utrechtse Poortkast”. Unique features of this piece are the carved parts that display a wide array of tropical plants, flowers, and birds. Species were never seen in the Netherlands or Europe at that time. Inspired by a successful trade mission to the Far East a master carpenter was commissioned to build this cabinet that would reflect the prosperity of the mission and the wealth of its owner in general. The top of the arched doors are decorated with carved C-scrolls, acanthus motifs, and tulips. The tulip refers to Tulip mania (Dutch: tulpenmanie) was a period during the Dutch Golden Age when contract prices for some bulbs of the recently introduced and fashionable tulip reached extraordinarily high levels. The major acceleration started in 1634 and then dramatically collapsed in February 1637. It is generally considered to have been the first recorded speculative bubble or asset bubble in history. Besides the expertly carved decorations, the cupboard was further enriched with ebony veneered panels adding luxury to the piece. The ebony wood was imported by the VOC from South Africa and was a real showcase for wealth as it was more expensive than gold at the time. The cabinet has the original hinges and lock. The interior houses three fixed shelves. Overall this piece of furniture is in very good antique and authentic condition with a great patina. The cabinet is 22.83 inches deep measured on the corpus. The width measured at the corpus is 63 inches. The Dutch Golden Age. The 17th century was an important century for the Netherlands. The region separated from the Spanish Empire and formed its republic. Dutch merchants established their first colonies in the Americas and opened up trade networks around the world. The Dutch economy flourished as much of Europe's trade began passing through Amsterdam. This money helped foster the arts, leading to the rise of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens. This was the Dutch Golden Age. The strong Dutch economy and celebration of the arts provided financial and cultural security to inspire middle and upper-class citizens to buy lots of furniture. This was a big change from the sparsely furnished homes of medieval times. Dutch patrons demanded high-quality, comfortable, and stylish products, and furniture makers obliged. Dutch furniture of the 17th century was lighter, more comfortable, and more versatile than in many other parts of the world. A key form of Dutch furniture in the 17th century was the cabinet, a taller furniture item that had replaced ground-level medieval chests. Cabinets were essential furniture items in most Dutch homes, as well as in the Dutch colonies. Since cabinets were generally used to hold valuable items like linens or silverware, they were works of art themselves, and we see some of the most important styles of Dutch furniture applied here. Note: Ebony is a species that is restricted under the CITES law. However, in this particular cupboard, CITES documentation is not required. It therefore can be shipped across borders without problems. The three reasons for that are: 1 The ebony used is not raw but was sawn to veneer and polished to create a smooth surface. 2 The total weight of the ebony is very low because it is a very thin sheet of wood (veneer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 78.94 in (200.5 cm)Width: 74.41 in (189 cm)Depth: 28.75 in (73 cm)
  • Style:
    Renaissance (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Ebony,Oak,Carved,Polished,Stained,Veneer
  • Place of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Period:
    Late 17th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1680
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Casteren, NL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU970936486122

More From This Seller

View All
17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinet with Arched Doors
Located in Casteren, NL
Beautiful and rare Dutch Renaissance two-door cabinet. This cabinet stems from an era in Dutch history that is called "the golden age'. This cabinet has the typical arched panelled doors and is called a 'poortkast' or portal cabinet. It is made in the best quality solid oak. It stands on ebonized bun feet with an ajour cut skirt. The panelled doors have a hand-carved arched top. The top corniche has beautiful hand-carved elevated panels depicting cupids holding garlands. The whole cabinet is enriched with inlaid parts of ebony...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany, Oak

17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinet with Arched Doors

17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinet with Arched Doors

$13,496 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 17th Century Dutch Oak and Ebony Two-Door Renaissance Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
Antique 17th Century Dutch oak and ebony two-door Renaissance cabinet. This extraordinary cupboard is made of the finest quarter-sawn oak...
Category

Antique 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Ebony, Oak

Antique 17th Century Dutch Oak and Ebony Two-Door Renaissance Cabinet

Antique 17th Century Dutch Oak and Ebony Two-Door Renaissance Cabinet

$13,961 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 17th Century Oak and Ebony Two-Door Renaissance Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
This extraordinary cupboard is made of the finest quarter sawn oak in the tradition of the Dutch Renaissance during the “Dutch golden age” It is a small two-door cabinet with arche...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Ebony, Oak

Antique 17th Century Oak and Ebony Two-Door Renaissance Cabinet

Antique 17th Century Oak and Ebony Two-Door Renaissance Cabinet

$16,288
Antique Late 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Single-Door Cabinet in Solid Oak
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant single-door cabinet was made in the Southern part of the Netherlands in the late 17th century. It was made in the best quality quarter-sawn oak in the tradition of the Dutch Renaissance during the “Dutch golden age”. The piece is of exceptional quality and was made completely in watered oak...
Category

Antique Late 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Antique Late 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Single-Door Cabinet in Solid Oak

Antique Late 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Single-Door Cabinet in Solid Oak

$8,260
17th Century Dutch Renaissance Oak and Ebony Inlay Four-Door Cabinet Dated 1660
Located in Casteren, NL
This extraordinary cabinet is made of the finest watered oak in the tradition of the Dutch Renaissance during the “Dutch golden age” It is a four-door cab...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Steel

17th Century Dutch Renaissance Oak and Ebony Inlay Four-Door Cabinet Dated 1660

17th Century Dutch Renaissance Oak and Ebony Inlay Four-Door Cabinet Dated 1660

$26,177
Antique Dutch Renaissance Portal Cabinet in Solid Oak, 18th Century
Located in Casteren, NL
This rare Dutch cabinet is made of the finest oak in the tradition of the Dutch Renaissance during the “Dutch golden age” This cabinet is made in t...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Antique Dutch Renaissance Portal Cabinet in Solid Oak, 18th Century

Antique Dutch Renaissance Portal Cabinet in Solid Oak, 18th Century

$26,177

You May Also Like

Portuguese Renaissance Cabinet, 17th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A rare and valuable cabinet from Portugal in great conditions. A two doors and two drawers piece, a early “Estilo Nacional” example of Portuguese expansion of materials and techniqu...
Category

Antique 17th Century Portuguese Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Portuguese Renaissance Cabinet, 17th Century

Portuguese Renaissance Cabinet, 17th Century

$13,957
17th Century Two Door Walnut Cabinet, Italy
Located in New York, NY
17th century Italian two door cabinet. Decorative raised molding on doors and sides. Walnut. Also makes a great side table. Recently refinished
Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

17th Century Two Door Walnut Cabinet, Italy

17th Century Two Door Walnut Cabinet, Italy

$9,850
17th Century Dutch Oak Cabinet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A 17th century Dutch oak cabinet of nice small proportions and finely balanced carvings to the moulded panel doors. Having a moulded cornice top abov...
Category

Antique 17th Century Cabinets

Materials

Oak

17th Century Dutch Oak Cabinet

17th Century Dutch Oak Cabinet

$5,295
Notable circa 17th Century Carved Walnut Two-Tiered Cabinet in Renaissance Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and impressive 17th century European cabinet. Made in two parts, both with elaborate carved decoration and burled panels and details. The upper cabinet with heavy overhanging...
Category

Antique 17th Century European Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Notable circa 17th Century Carved Walnut Two-Tiered Cabinet in Renaissance Style

Notable circa 17th Century Carved Walnut Two-Tiered Cabinet in Renaissance Style

$20,000
A Dark Walnut Single-door Cabinet, Italian 17th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A dark walnut single-door cabinet, Italian 17th century Height: 110 cm Width: 115 cm Depth: 36.5 cm Provenance: Private Australian Collection acquired in 1950s.
Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

A Dark Walnut Single-door Cabinet, Italian 17th Century

A Dark Walnut Single-door Cabinet, Italian 17th Century

$25,500
GENUINE Renaissance Walnut Cabinet Buffet, Italian, Early 17TH Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A tall walnut cabinet buffet, having a plank top with dentil moulding above a single drawer. The recessed paneled doors with iron pulls, flanked by Doric columns sitting on multi-moi...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Renaissance Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

GENUINE Renaissance Walnut Cabinet Buffet, Italian, Early 17TH Century

GENUINE Renaissance Walnut Cabinet Buffet, Italian, Early 17TH Century

$14,500

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

Dutch Antique Furniture
Rare Dutch
17th Century Dutch Furniture
European Wood Carvings
Display Case Plant
Antique Renaissance Gold
Ship Wood Carving
Wood Carvings Of Ships
The Worlds History And Its Makers
Acanthus Wood Carving
17th Century American Furniture
Dutch Renaissance Furniture
Dutch Empire
Spanish Empire
Dutch Voc
Silverware Cabinet
Silverware Storage Cabinets
Dutch Tulips
View All Popular Cabinets Searches