A Flemish gilt-bronze and silvered metal-mounted ivory inlaid tortoiseshell ebony and ebonised cabinet, Antwerp circa 1650

the raised top above a pair of panelled doors opening to reveal a pair of doors with raised geometric and heart shaped motifs at each angle, the central doors surmounted by a broken pediment opening to reveal a mirrored interior with a  geometrically inlaid floor with a drawer above and below, flanked by a bank of five drawers each with raised bosses the frieze with two drawers each inlaid to form a backgammon board, with a handle on each side, the whole applied with ripple-cut mouldings on a later stand with six spirally turned legs joined by flat stretchers on bun feet (not illustrated)

Cabinet : In country house condition and would benefit from some attention. Old very minor marks, chips and scratches and restorations to the veneer with some minor losses. Down each side there are vertical construction cracks which would benefit from some attention and hairline cracks generally in the piece. On the right side there is a 7cm long piece of ebony veneer missing which will need attention. The hinges have been replaced. Some of the metal borders surrounding the bosses on the inside of the drawer are damaged and missing but this does not detract from the piece. The gilt metal border surrounding the octagonal boss on the inside of the doors looks a later replacement and the silver surround on both the upper elliptical motifs possibly later. The inside of the drawers are inlaid with different designs which is a rare feature. There are some very minor losses and replacements to some of the silver metal work to the front of the drawers but this is not too noticeable. There is also some cracks to the inside of the drawers as well. The mirrored section inside the central door is missing some of its wooden borders and are a little loose and would benefit from some attention. The frieze drawers which form a backgammon board are warped with some veneer missing, lifting and some construction cracks but these can easily be restored and both lockplates on these drawers have now been removed. The pull-out slide beneath the frieze has a small section of moulded border off but present and is slightly warped and missing some sections of the tortoiseshell veneer along the from edge. The stand: Some missing areas of veneer both tortoiseshell and ebony with some chips to ebonising on the legs which can easily be touched up. The rear stretcher is different to the rest and the finials at the base of the freeze differ and are possible later replacements.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."