The Chamber Reliquary is a late 19th-century French walnut cabinet executed in the Renaissance Revival tradition, drawing formal influence from the Henry II period. Its vertical proportion and architectural restraint reflect a period when historic form was revived through structure and mass rather than excess ornament. The cabinet reads as an object of order and containment, designed to mediate between visibility and privacy.
The frame is articulated by fluted columns, carved floral reserves, and balanced massing. Walnut surfaces are arranged in geometric veneer patterns that emphasize rhythm and depth across the façade. At the center sits a concealed marble-lined chamber hidden behind two faux drawer fronts, an internal feature originally intended for discreet utility rather than display. Four graduated drawers fitted with original hardware provide functional storage, while the raised base and turned feet lend lift and architectural clarity.
The cabinet was refinished using traditional hand-applied shellac, preserving its age-softened patina while restoring warmth and legibility to the wood. No structural intervention was required. The original marble top exhibits a stable hairline crack consistent with age and material history, which has been left intact. The marble-lined interior chamber shows a visible stain consistent with historical use. All surfaces remain sound and functional.
With its narrow footprint, durable stone surface, and vertical orientation, The Chamber Reliquary adapts easily to a range of interior settings. It may function as a discreet storage cabinet in an entryway or front hall, as a bedside or dressing-room piece, or as an architectural accent within a library or study. Its form supports use without prescribing it.
Available through private acquisition.
The Chamber Reliquary is a late 19th-century French walnut cabinet executed in the Renaissance Revival tradition, drawing formal influence from the Henry II period. Its vertical proportion and architectural restraint reflect a period when historic form was revived through structure and mass rather than excess ornament. The cabinet reads as an object of order and containment, designed to mediate between visibility and privacy.
The frame is articulated by fluted columns, carved floral reserves, and balanced massing. Walnut surfaces are arranged in geometric veneer patterns that emphasize rhythm and depth across the façade. At the center sits a concealed marble-lined chamber hidden behind two faux drawer fronts, an internal feature originally intended for discreet utility rather than display. Four graduated drawers fitted with original hardware provide functional storage, while the raised base and turned feet lend lift and architectural clarity.
The cabinet was refinished using traditional hand-applied shellac, preserving its age-softened patina while restoring warmth and legibility to the wood. No structural intervention was required. The original marble top exhibits a stable hairline crack consistent with age and material history, which has been left intact. The marble-lined interior chamber shows a visible stain consistent with historical use. All surfaces remain sound and functional.
With its narrow footprint, durable stone surface, and vertical orientation, The Chamber Reliquary adapts easily to a range of interior settings. It may function as a discreet storage cabinet in an entryway or front hall, as a bedside or dressing-room piece, or as an architectural accent within a library or study. Its form supports use without prescribing it.
Available through private acquisition.
17 5/8” W x 14 5/8” D x 39 3/8” H
