A Dutch Neoclassical Japanned, Harewood, Satinwood and Ebony Marquetry Buffet, in the Manner of Matthijs Horrix, Probably the Haque, Circa 1790

Related literature: R. Baarsen, Nederlandse Meubelen 1600-1800. Dutch Furniture 1600-1800, Zwolle 1993, pp. 128, 129.

This buffet or side cabinet was conceived during the last phase of the development of Dutch Neoclassical furniture, between circa 1780 and 1795. It is interesting that during this period Dutch cabinet-makers used light, yellowish-red wood and enriched their pieces with lacquer panels as to produce a strong color contrast.

In 1780 the Hague cabinet-maker Matthijs Horrix delivered a number of lacquer inlaid commodes to the Princess Wilhelmina of Orange, for which she herself had supplied the lacquer panels. The construction and decoration of this cabinet are particularly characteristic of Dutch furniture of the late 18th century; especially the ribbon-tied medallions which can be found on several pieces of furniture in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The panels on the cabinets in the Rijksmuseum and on the offered buffet are not true Japanese or Chinese lacquer but Dutch imitations. Baarsen states op. cit,.