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- Medal cabinet
- Attributed to André-Charles Boulle (1642–1732)
- France
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- Date: About 1710–20
- Medium: Oak veneered with Boulle marquetry of brass and turtleshell, gilt bronze, walnut, oak, ebony, brass, velvet and steel
- Object size: 41.2 x 34.5 x 26.5 cm
- Inv: F20
- Location: Billiard Room
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- Intended for storing medals, the front of this little cabinet is a hinged panel that drops down to reveal 12 drawers with brass handles, each one numbered consecutively from the top with engraved Roman numerals. The fall front is veneered on the inside face with the marquetry pattern of the outside, but in contre-partie marquetry. The attribution to Boulle is based on both the quality of the elaborate scrolling marquetry and the use of the same design on other pieces securely attributed to Boulle.
Collecting medals and coins, both antique and contemporary, was a fashionable activity in the first half of the 18th century. The term 'medal cabinet' normally suggests a much larger piece of furniture, but ones of this size are known. It was clearly intended for use on a table top, since otherwise there is no support to stop the fall front going beyond the horizontal position and straining its hinges.
- Intended for storing medals, the front of this little cabinet is a hinged panel that drops down to reveal 12 drawers with brass handles, each one numbered consecutively from the top with engraved Roman numerals. The fall front is veneered on the inside face with the marquetry pattern of the outside, but in contre-partie marquetry. The attribution to Boulle is based on both the quality of the elaborate scrolling marquetry and the use of the same design on other pieces securely attributed to Boulle.