Ornate Antique Cabinet-Mystery!

Good afternoon!

On behalf of a friend, and to satisfy my own curiosity as well, I offered to post images of the cabinet and inquire among the forum community.

My friend only knows her mother bought it second hand many years ago when she was a kid (my friend, that is).

Is there a knowledgeable person, or two, out there who might recognize its provenance?

Thank you.

 

Boulle work cabinet,but Im sensing a cheaper one. Maybe in the 1920s or so. But im often wrong !

 

At least that old and likely older. It wasn't a cheap thing when new, but it's been rode hard and put away wet. The carytids alone tell me it wasn't junk. I bet @verybrad and maybe @Ghopper1924 will have a thing to say.

 

I agree, it looks suspiciously like Boulle work. The tortoiseshell looks the real deal, warping and all, but the brass inlay looks painted rather than metal. That could just be hard to capture on a photo, or it could be my eyesight.
It looks Napoleon III to me, so France pre-1870ish.

Hoping one of the furniture people has better eyesight.

 

I thought it was a mix of paint and missing metal. It looks like some of the brass popped loose a long time ago.

 

Thanks for leading off the comments and thoughts...

 

Agree, this is a French Boulle credenza ca. 1870. Similar to Herter, McKenzie and Pottier and Stymus work from New York in the same time period. Nice!

 

I appreciate your quick assessment––it helps!

 

Yes! Very suspicious! Ha-ha! In such a brief time all of your comments have provided useful information where previously my friend had none. Thank you.

 

Out of my friend's lack of information comes knowledge from people who know their stuff! Thanks a bunch!