Posted 13 years ago
Hardbrake
(30 items)
I was at the right place at the right time when it came to this Gothic Church Cabinet. I obtained it in the early 70's and have use it for a bed room storage cabinet for the last 15 years. I believe the cabinet is made of Walnut or Oak. The carving is quite good and the cabinet is in very good over all shape. The Cabinet is about 4.6 feet tall and the cabinet area is 18 inches deep and 30 inches wide and 18 inches tall. The top is about 36 inches wide. The hardware is made from black iron. The 2 doors on the front are guarded by 2 knights on either side. The cabinet was made in Belgian, I believe sometime in the mid 19th century. The joints are pined (Mortice (Mortise) and Tenon). I am not sure if that is the correct name for the joints but if anyone knows please correct me. The Cabinet has a back door which folds down and is about as wide as both front doors together. I was told that the cabinet was used in a Catholic Church. If anyone has any information regarding this style of cabinet pleas pass it along, the help would be of great use to me. Thank you for the information regarding the correct name of the joint. I know if I just asked an answer would come from a person with knowledge regarding wood joints.
Very nice cabinet, looks like oak & from what I can see it appears it might be mortice & tenon with a dowel fastener (looks like a dowel beside the knights head)
It appears to be an ambry, a storage place for consecrated bread, wine and containers. It is usually under lock and key. This is a very nice, old one.
Thank You: I heard the term ambry before but I was unsure if this cabinet was one. I have not conducted much research on it in fact I just learned that there was a Gothic style furniture will listing this cabinet. Hardbrake
Oh, it is magnificent! I am so glad that you have this! I don't know what country you're in, but just in case, mortice is spelled 'mortise' in the USA.
Both spellings are correct, I believe it's because this type of joinery has been used for centuries.
Thank you, walksoftly! I had never seen 'mortice', and did a spell check before posting just to see if it were another word I'd been messing up without knowing it. My google search provided 'mortise' but not 'mortice'. I'm sure there must be other definitions that give both spellings. Yes, I am aware that this joining method is very old, but thanks for telling me!I have much, much to learn about furniture. Isn't this piece marvelous? Regards, miKKo
Thank both of you as you can see I also have a lot to learn. Which ever way is correct I have always enjoyed this cabinet. Oh I live in the greatest country (in my opinion) the U.S.A. Hardbrake
Thank you kindly, Hardbrake, for your great courtesy. Yes, I so love my USA, and I am very grateful to have been born here!
As for learning about furniture, it is a vast subject, and you are well ahead of me. What excellent taste you have! It is I who shall be learning from you. Regards, miKKo