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It is called a Vitrine. Used to display / exhibit special items you collect, such as china/porcelain, collectibles important to you etc.
First ones were 18th century, but their real popularity came later in 19th and 20th century. A great deal you see are 1920's tbh.
All depends on quality and weight of the ormolu. The glass can be a slight indicator as many didn't replace glass due to it being bowed ..is yours bombus?
Oh I’ve learned a new word. We have always referred to this type of thing as a curio cabinet, but I never looked into it further. Fascinating stuff, thanks!
You are correct though. This is a cabinet for your personal curios...It just has a special word for antique folk too lol. Easier to search online for Vitrine in antique places x
There are some awesome examples out there.
Vitrine is simply what Americans call I think window shopping they are looking at vitrines..
Edit: why is this comment downvoted! lol. Vitrine is simply when shops put the mannequins in the window etc. Or a vitrine like this one.. My point was the word: Vitrine can also be used in another setting other than the antique!
As an American, some of us call that “gonna get that some day but never even walk past this store again because my dental bill already took my left leg as payment”
I think you’re getting downvoted because Americans don’t call window shopping “vitrines”. Some Americans may know the word but it’s not anywhere near commonplace enough to say “it is simply what Americans call….”
It’s not. We don’t.
Just to answer your question of “why is this being downvoted”.
Also, the word is French. It does commonly mean window shopping in French, but it does not mean that in English.
Hope that helps.
I don’t mean Vitrine is a term American used, I meant virtrine is like window where the shops put the mannequins. I am not sure of the term in English I think just windows.. I am not saying that vitrine is used in America but that Vitrine is not just antique inn French ..
I worked for a company that sold repros. Theses were also reproduced in qty in the late 90s and 90s...can't tell by the pic if this one is antique or not...
I'd say later repro tbh...the ormolu looks lightweight. The bevel on glass os there but bo real depth or movement on glass. Interior is new and non authentic, but coukd be adapted. The marquetry seems superficial.
But..I'm only looking at a photo.
If you worked for them you wilhave a good 'feel' for it. Maybe you need some time with authentic pieces to have opposing benchmarks.
I agree with this. I lived in a large estate filled with certified antiques, and this has the look of one, but the way the surface looks, it doesn't show the age like a real antique would. Even the restored antiques have a feeling to them when you look at them that makes you imagine who made them, where they've been, and speaks of a time that has passed. This doesn't do that for me. But like you said, it's a picture.
I thought it looked French too! Zero experience here I’ve just seen these a lot from my supplier as they also sell imported French pieces as well as the Victorian British pieces I buy from them.
My grandma had one and now my oldest brother has it in his dining room with all the other matching pieces. Not sure how old it is but I was a little kid in the mid 60's.
Louis XV revival. French. Curio Cabinet/Vitrine. Need to see close ups of hardware, any makers marks and other tells to give a solid valuation. Depending on the provenance which could up the possible auction value, wholesale between idk, imho 1500-3000 depending on a host of factors.
Fun fact I saw the word Ormalu thrown out. Highly unlikely the gilding is of that process. It was outlawed in the early 19th century's for driving the gilders into early graves. If however this is not either a revival piece from the 1890s or so, or a reproduction and is actually a Louis XV piece from prior to 1830....do NOT lick the gilding!
Not enough detail for me to call it. How do you know for sure it's a repro from the 1990's made somewhere in the Middle East? All I see are a few shots from the front
I get brought these several times a week. Often with an elaborate story of providence.
They don’t really bear any resemblance to an original. The proportions are off. The chapeau de gendarme pediment is crude, it has modern glass. Naive marquetry with large glue lines because they were cut in a large stack without a good chevalet.
The bronzes are poorly executed. No hand chasing or engraving, and electroplated and flat looking. They also tend to add them in places they wouldn’t otherwise be on an original. Ormolu was a decorative element added to protect vulnerable edges and corners. And even on bronze heavy Louis XV and XVI period pieces, there are very few redundant mountings. These middle eastern reproductions have them nailed on all over, because that’s what American buyers at the time associated with French luxury furniture.
The veneer is paper thin, and sliced, not sawn.
The Egyptians and Syrians used a particular glue in the late 20th century which tends to bubble when exposed to fluctuating humidity. And is an absolute pain to try and re-adhere.
That’s also a modern sprayed finish.
It is hard to be sure from photos but it looks like a late 20th Century reproduction. Can you post some pictures of the back and also the joints, hinges etc?
It looks like a 1980’s repro as even a 19th century one would normally have a bowed glass top to match the base so a single door opens the whole cabinet, it’s not inlaid either. I’d be surprised if it went for more than £500-750 at auction, there’s prettier ones on ebay, also the door panels are pretty wide, doesn’t help the look and there doesn’t seem great quality in the drawer. Lots of Victorian ones had artist painted panels in the Vernis Martin style. I’ve added a link of one sold on eBay which is Victorian shaped glass and made only £510!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305383919883?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=aIEVayRRRf2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=WOkiXp8UR52&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
It reminds me of the fortune teller machine in the film ‘Big’ [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_teller_machine](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_teller_machine)
My family bought a whole dining room suite of stuff that looks almost identical to this. They had it custom made just south of Naples in italy. That was in the early 1980s
Same color woods, same color and inlays etc.
English antique dealer here, this is a 1980s reproduction probably Italian. In London today this is unsaleable, not sure what the repro market is wherever you are but this isn’t an antique, find a dealer with more than an internet education to confirm this.
Long time lurker, first time commenting here, but as a layperson, just based on the look of the front panels, especially the flower detail, it looks modern. Antiques were typically carved, possibly inlaid, but this doesn't look antique.
It's lovely, and very in demand for many, but it looks to be a repro.
It's all about your wording.
Positive: it's antique.
Negative: it's wobbly, cleaned or restored..
Repro..sell the story of where vitrines came from. How they are the perfect place to keep your precious items a la old fancy folk style.
Screenshot one from museum but point out that this stands straight, works well and feels the same ;)
You posted this 14 hours ago, so I can confirm it is at least 14 hours old.
Aslo, it's a vitrine but more learned souls than I have already imparted more knowledge than I possess on the subject.
Antique dealer from London here, 40yrs experience, this is a 1980,s reproduction probably Italian. Not sure what the repro market is like where you are but this is absolutely worthless in London. Ask someone with more than an internet education to confirm this and thank me after. Take care, god bless.
NOTE WE HAVE CHANGED THE AGE RULE: [Read here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/1c1d4q1/change_of_rule_items_now_have_to_be_100_years_old/) If you're asking a question about an antique make sure to have photos of all sides of the object, and close-ups of any maker's marks. Also, add in any background information you have, and add in a question so we know what you want from us! **You must tell us the country you're in.** If you do not provide this information **your post will be removed**. To upload photos for this discussion use [imgur.com](https://imgur.com/upload). Click the imgur link, upload the photos to imgur, then share the link address in a comment for everyone to see. Our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/about/rules/) and [Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/1c1cxm4/welcome_to_rantiques_read_this_before_posting/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It is called a Vitrine. Used to display / exhibit special items you collect, such as china/porcelain, collectibles important to you etc. First ones were 18th century, but their real popularity came later in 19th and 20th century. A great deal you see are 1920's tbh. All depends on quality and weight of the ormolu. The glass can be a slight indicator as many didn't replace glass due to it being bowed ..is yours bombus?
Oh I’ve learned a new word. We have always referred to this type of thing as a curio cabinet, but I never looked into it further. Fascinating stuff, thanks!
You are correct though. This is a cabinet for your personal curios...It just has a special word for antique folk too lol. Easier to search online for Vitrine in antique places x There are some awesome examples out there.
Vitrine is simply what Americans call I think window shopping they are looking at vitrines.. Edit: why is this comment downvoted! lol. Vitrine is simply when shops put the mannequins in the window etc. Or a vitrine like this one.. My point was the word: Vitrine can also be used in another setting other than the antique!
As an American, some of us call that “gonna get that some day but never even walk past this store again because my dental bill already took my left leg as payment”
Ha ha I prefer this type of shopping too 😅
I think you’re getting downvoted because Americans don’t call window shopping “vitrines”. Some Americans may know the word but it’s not anywhere near commonplace enough to say “it is simply what Americans call….” It’s not. We don’t. Just to answer your question of “why is this being downvoted”. Also, the word is French. It does commonly mean window shopping in French, but it does not mean that in English. Hope that helps.
They didn’t say Americans say vitrines. They said Americans call it window shopping.
Yes! Thank you.😊
[удалено]
I don’t mean Vitrine is a term American used, I meant virtrine is like window where the shops put the mannequins. I am not sure of the term in English I think just windows.. I am not saying that vitrine is used in America but that Vitrine is not just antique inn French ..
Display Window is the term I believe you’re looking for
Yes! 🙌🏼 thank you 😊 Have a great Sunday!
I worked for a company that sold repros. Theses were also reproduced in qty in the late 90s and 90s...can't tell by the pic if this one is antique or not...
I'd say later repro tbh...the ormolu looks lightweight. The bevel on glass os there but bo real depth or movement on glass. Interior is new and non authentic, but coukd be adapted. The marquetry seems superficial. But..I'm only looking at a photo. If you worked for them you wilhave a good 'feel' for it. Maybe you need some time with authentic pieces to have opposing benchmarks.
I agree with this. I lived in a large estate filled with certified antiques, and this has the look of one, but the way the surface looks, it doesn't show the age like a real antique would. Even the restored antiques have a feeling to them when you look at them that makes you imagine who made them, where they've been, and speaks of a time that has passed. This doesn't do that for me. But like you said, it's a picture.
Sorry..just realised you're not the Original Poster 🙈🙈🙈
My beanie baby and furby collection would look so sick in one of these bad boys
Don’t forget the precious moments swag. It’s heirloom /s
Reminds me of French provincial am I seeing influences?
I thought it looked French too! Zero experience here I’ve just seen these a lot from my supplier as they also sell imported French pieces as well as the Victorian British pieces I buy from them.
It just reminded me of the cheap white and gold French provincial bedroom sets I couldn't tell the real thing if it slapped me in the face 🤣🤣🤣🤣
My grandma had one and now my oldest brother has it in his dining room with all the other matching pieces. Not sure how old it is but I was a little kid in the mid 60's.
Repro!
Perfect for an Annebelle Doll.
Idk but looks like something that would hold a fortune telling automaton
ZOLTAN
Zoltar.
Don’t Mess with the Zohar
First thing I thought.
JAMBI
Like Tom Hanks in Bog. I thought the same. Put your nickel in fir your fortune.
Big?
"Bog/fir" or "Big/for" 🤔
Fat thumbs. Oops
Zoltar has left the cabinet!
🤣🤣🙌
Beat me to it
Vitrine
Louis XV revival. French. Curio Cabinet/Vitrine. Need to see close ups of hardware, any makers marks and other tells to give a solid valuation. Depending on the provenance which could up the possible auction value, wholesale between idk, imho 1500-3000 depending on a host of factors. Fun fact I saw the word Ormalu thrown out. Highly unlikely the gilding is of that process. It was outlawed in the early 19th century's for driving the gilders into early graves. If however this is not either a revival piece from the 1890s or so, or a reproduction and is actually a Louis XV piece from prior to 1830....do NOT lick the gilding!
In the auction industry we use the term “ormolu mounting” to refer to any of those metal decorations on furniture
Thank you. As just a generalized description of those features it does sound better than just "gilt".
This is Post 1960's and made in the middle east.
Not enough detail for me to call it. How do you know for sure it's a repro from the 1990's made somewhere in the Middle East? All I see are a few shots from the front
I get brought these several times a week. Often with an elaborate story of providence. They don’t really bear any resemblance to an original. The proportions are off. The chapeau de gendarme pediment is crude, it has modern glass. Naive marquetry with large glue lines because they were cut in a large stack without a good chevalet. The bronzes are poorly executed. No hand chasing or engraving, and electroplated and flat looking. They also tend to add them in places they wouldn’t otherwise be on an original. Ormolu was a decorative element added to protect vulnerable edges and corners. And even on bronze heavy Louis XV and XVI period pieces, there are very few redundant mountings. These middle eastern reproductions have them nailed on all over, because that’s what American buyers at the time associated with French luxury furniture. The veneer is paper thin, and sliced, not sawn. The Egyptians and Syrians used a particular glue in the late 20th century which tends to bubble when exposed to fluctuating humidity. And is an absolute pain to try and re-adhere. That’s also a modern sprayed finish.
Awesome. Thank you
It is hard to be sure from photos but it looks like a late 20th Century reproduction. Can you post some pictures of the back and also the joints, hinges etc?
Kinda want to plop a creepy fortune teller robot in there
It looks like a 1980’s repro as even a 19th century one would normally have a bowed glass top to match the base so a single door opens the whole cabinet, it’s not inlaid either. I’d be surprised if it went for more than £500-750 at auction, there’s prettier ones on ebay, also the door panels are pretty wide, doesn’t help the look and there doesn’t seem great quality in the drawer. Lots of Victorian ones had artist painted panels in the Vernis Martin style. I’ve added a link of one sold on eBay which is Victorian shaped glass and made only £510! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305383919883?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=aIEVayRRRf2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=WOkiXp8UR52&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Looks like it should have Zoltar inside
[Zoltar.](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNDJhY2EwMDAtYTcyZC00NmM2LWEyYTYtNjNkYmNjN2ZlNjNiXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjM2NTcyOA@@._V1_.jpg)
Looks like the case used to hold Annabelle. Just missing some holy water and a crucifix or 10.
French display cabinet
Some really creepy antique dolls would look great in this
'I wish I were big'
It reminds me of the fortune teller machine in the film ‘Big’ [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_teller_machine](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_teller_machine)
My family bought a whole dining room suite of stuff that looks almost identical to this. They had it custom made just south of Naples in italy. That was in the early 1980s Same color woods, same color and inlays etc.
I don’t know but I would turn it into Voltron the Fortune Teller!
English antique dealer here, this is a 1980s reproduction probably Italian. In London today this is unsaleable, not sure what the repro market is wherever you are but this isn’t an antique, find a dealer with more than an internet education to confirm this.
I was really hoping it was the real deal ):
Long time lurker, first time commenting here, but as a layperson, just based on the look of the front panels, especially the flower detail, it looks modern. Antiques were typically carved, possibly inlaid, but this doesn't look antique. It's lovely, and very in demand for many, but it looks to be a repro.
Is it yours?
Hi, Yes it’s mine. I was hoping that it was legit ): Repros are not worth much I’m assuming.
And even though I think the 1990's was only ten years ago..it is not. It will be an antique for their relatives one day x
It's all about your wording. Positive: it's antique. Negative: it's wobbly, cleaned or restored.. Repro..sell the story of where vitrines came from. How they are the perfect place to keep your precious items a la old fancy folk style. Screenshot one from museum but point out that this stands straight, works well and feels the same ;)
I absolutely love it. I would hate for someone to paint over that beautiful wood. Keep it the way it is.
This is a reproduction. I get about $350-500 in my shop for these. It's still very beautiful.
A doll keeper
Your Zoltar machine is missing its Zoltar.
As a cherocabinet
Where you win that unit at?
You posted this 14 hours ago, so I can confirm it is at least 14 hours old. Aslo, it's a vitrine but more learned souls than I have already imparted more knowledge than I possess on the subject.
It is missing the Zoltar from the movie 'Big' lol
This came from an antique collector so I had high hopes but I went back and took another look and there is no way it’s over a 100 years old.
Shelves are missing
Gorgeous
We called it a curio cabinet.
Antique dealer from London here, 40yrs experience, this is a 1980,s reproduction probably Italian. Not sure what the repro market is like where you are but this is absolutely worthless in London. Ask someone with more than an internet education to confirm this and thank me after. Take care, god bless.
The thing that holds the Annabel doll!
My guy I'd call it an armoire but I also have no idea what I'm talking about about
That would look great with a haunted doll in it.