Dutch Carved 2 Door Cupboard Later Painted Mottled Midnight Blue

Dutch Carved 2 door Cupboard Later Painted Mottle Midnight Blue * Netherlands 1st quarter of 20th Century * Later painted specialist mottled midnight blue finish * Kussenkast known as Cushion Cabinet * Interior later painted specialist antique white finish * 2 fixed shelves * Upper shelf incorporates a drawer This exquisite cabinet draws inspiration from the Dutch Kussenkast, also known as a Cushion Cabinet. This remarkable piece of seventeenth-century Dutch furniture is a prime example of the monumental linen cupboards frequently depicted in 17th-century Dutch genre paintings. The cabinet's name derives from the vertical, ornamental 'cushions' on the doors, a characteristic and distinctive feature of these cupboards. It epitomises a Dutch Renaissance cabinet from the Dutch Golden Age, reflecting the craftsmanship of Dutch furniture makers and their distinctive style. At first glance, the cupboard's monumental appearance may seem simple, but it is brought to life by the intricate foliate carvings on the two doors, which interrupt the solid, rectangular shapes. The foliate capitals carved onto the columns harmonise with the door carvings. Overall, this cabinet is a masterful display of proportion and volume, accentuated by the cushioned doors and the simple moulded apron above the base that anchors the cupboard beneath its grand cornice. The subtle mouldings on the pilasters, drawers, and door panels are design elements that disrupt the verticality of the central structure. The central doors open to unveil an interior bathed in a soft Antique White finish, providing a striking contrast to the dark, brooding exterior. Inside, there are two fixed shelves, with a drawer nestled into the upper shelf. The mouldings and foliate carvings are uniformly applied throughout. Historically, this type of cupboard served to store linens and clothing, items that were expensive and often made up a significant portion of a dowry. Therefore, such elaborately crafted cupboards were typically acquired around the time of marriage and could also be presented as gifts. Owing to their impressive size, these linen cupboards were usually situated in the front room of a home, serving not only a practical purpose but also signifying the family's wealth and social standing. The Dutch golden age The 17th century marked a pivotal era for the Netherlands. The region declared independence from the Spanish Empire and established a republic. Dutch merchants founded their initial colonies in the Americas and forged global trade networks. As a result, the Dutch economy thrived, with Amsterdam becoming a central hub for European trade. This prosperity nurtured the arts, culminating in the emergence of masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens, defining the Dutch Golden Age. The robust Dutch economy, coupled with a flourishing arts scene, provided the financial and cultural stability that encouraged the middle and upper classes to invest in abundant furniture. This shift from the minimalistic furnishing of medieval times was significant. Dutch consumers sought after high-quality, comfortable, and fashionable pieces, and the furniture industry responded accordingly. Dutch furniture from the 17th century was known for being lighter, more comfortable, and more adaptable than its contemporaries worldwide. A prominent feature of Dutch furniture during this time was the cabinet, a tall piece that replaced the low-lying chests of the medieval period. Cabinets became a staple in Dutch households and their colonies. Often used to store precious items such as linens or silverware, cabinets were not only functional but also artistic, showcasing some of the most significant Dutch furniture styles. Kussenkast in the Dutch Golden Age In the Dutch Golden Age, the Kussenkast emerged as a significant furniture piece in Germany and the Netherlands. Known as the Cushion Cupboard or Cabinet, this unique linen cupboard began in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The name "Kussenkast" derives from the Dutch word for "cushion," alluding to the vertical, ornamental 'cushions' on the doors, a defining feature often seen in Dutch genre paintings of that era. The exterior was adorned with elaborate carvings, columns or pilasters, corners set at angles, and a substantial projecting mantle or cornice, all supported by bun feet. The interior was designed for functionality, with shelves and drawers. These imposing cupboards typically had two doors with pronounced, bevelled, raised panels, embellished with carved fruit and flower garlands, flanked by turned pilasters with composite capitals. These panels, known as "küssen" or cushions, served as decorative elements that enhanced the visual appeal of the cupboard doors, which sat above a base containing two drawers. In the Netherlands, there were two basic types of Kast: The two-stage, four-door cupboard was dominant in the late sixteenth century and the first half of the seventeenth century. Post-1640, a more restrained and academically refined style became popular, influenced by seventeenth-century Dutch classicism. The one-stage, two-door Dutch Kast emerged as a distinct and recognizable Dutch style, favoured from 1650 until around 1690. This one-stage, two-door Dutch Kast was characterised by vertical "cushions" on the doors, surmounted by a substantial cornice set at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, typically with a long single drawer or more commonly two single drawers beneath the doors. The cabinet stood on distinctive ball-shaped or bun feet.