Cabinet

Although design centres in Belgium and Germany produced distinctive objects in the undulating Art Nouveau style, the French city of Nancy in the province of Lorraine was the most important centre of this style between 1890 and 1910. The leaders of the “School of Nancy” were Emile Gall� (1846-1904) and Louis Majorelle.

This cabinet is a fine example of the work of Majorelle’s studio. The use of marquetry on the cabinet doors and backboard is especially fine. In this technique, hundreds of pieces of exotic wood are cut to the desired shape and then fitted together to form naturalistic pictures. Here, for example, a gaggle of geese decorate the lower doors. Upon close inspection, one can distinguish Majorelle’s signature worked entirely in marquetry.

The exhibited vases are by Louis Comfort Tiffany.