Fall-front cabinet

Both from a formal and decorative viewpoint, this fall-front cabinet highlights the unmistakable Portuguese inspiration in the production of Sinhalese furniture. Completely covered with slender and finely carved and pierced ivory plaques, the cabinet displays various scenes from everyday Portuguese life in this part of the world, set against a gilt background, amid divinities and fantastic animals.

Given its size, its exceptional quality and the sophisticated nature of the materials used, this piece of furniture, which forms part of a clearly documented group of pieces with a similar production existing in public and private collections, was made for an elite clientele and stands as a genuine testimony to the meeting of different cultures.