16th century Cabinet with architecture and wild herbs

The companions from the Augsburg region in Germany were specialized in the creation of these small collectors' boxes intended to contain objects of curiosity, ancient coins, excavation pieces, precious or scientific objects, minerals and small fossils or more simply all pieces likely to form a collection. This office is exceptional for its decor. The flap opens with a beautiful hasp lock with an openwork plate, it is covered with a marquetry painting presenting a lost city whose ruined architecture is invaded by weeds, it will soon disappear completely buried, perhaps perhaps it will be rediscovered a few centuries later. This theme, similar to that of vanities developed in Renaissance paintings, reminds us through this fallen grandeur, the fragility of the great achievements made by man. In the same spirit, the small drawers present imaginary cities in which nature takes back its rights. The internal face of the flap presents a luxuriant decoration of foliage and attributes, the choice of which is probably linked to the function or status of the sponsor. In the center, a small theater hidden by a gate allowed small sculptures or larger collectibles to be displayed. Beautiful engraved iron side handles. Marquetry of local maple, walnut, cherry, corm, pear wood on a softwood frame. Late 16th century period