Featured Help identifying furniture

Hi all, first time to the forum, thanks for having me. Bought a piece of furniture at a garage sale last weekend. Liked the style, and thought it would make a nice, and unusual display cabinet. Have been searching to figure out what it was originally intended for. Cant find an example that looks anything like it. The top part is 3 inches wide with opposing glass doors that hinge at the top. The bottom is 10 inches wide with opposing glass doors that hinge at the bottom. Does anybody have an idea as to original intended use, age, style, etc.
Thank you for any help,
Eric

 

Welcome to the forum, Eric.
I have seen these before, but can't remember what it was used for, other than displaying something. Others will be along to tell you more about it.

 

Welcome to Antiquers Eric.

Unusual piece for sure.......

 

Maybe something for a library? The top part displays a map on each side. The bottom shelves holds Atlas and Geography books? Just guessing.

 

It's for displaying one's Fip-tip-graphica!


(I am easily amused, and I've only had one cup of coffee...)

 

You mean phptpgraphica?

 

In pholders.

 

phplders?

 

Unusual piece. Since it has glass doors both sides, would think this some kind of store display piece. As to what it was meant to display, hard telling. Not much room in the top for much more than a sign.

 

Thank you for the welcome and the replies.
There are no slots or holes in the top part, other than the two shown in the photos. I see no wear marks, as if a dowel or roller went through them. There is a fair amount of inlay work, but the bulk of the piece is solid lumber. Cant quite put my finger on the species. Leaning towards Mahogany. The hardware is all brass. The previous owner tells me it came out of the original Nevada City, Ca hardware store when they closed down in the 70s. Here are some more photos.
Thank you for your interest and knowledge,
Eric

Cant seem to load photos, says it is to large. Will try on my tablet.

 

Funny, the photos will post off my tablet, but not off desk top or phone.
Thank you,
Eric

 

Seems like a lot of thought/work went into this display piece.
Don't have anything else specific to add, but perhaps it related to gambling??

 

Not. A. Clue. but, some of that veneer figure is very nice, i would guess victorian era.

 

It is mostly walnut with burl walnut. The lighter wood may be maple or birch.

 

Hopes AJ remembers, I have never seen anything like this before. Although machine made that wood/veneer selection & inlay is very impressive i think.

Agrees and that geometric inlay is very striking,especially the side panels, very well done cabinet for displaying something!?

 

whatever it is, it's cool, I like it

 

Yeah is, VERY cool! I am guessing it displayed something valuable considering the quality of the woodwork.