Flemish Gothic Revival Court Cupboard
Late 19th century, with earlier carved elements
Walnut, with iron fittings and traces of polychromy
Height 65¼ × Width 40 × Depth 22 in.
Property from the Estate of Michael L. Wilkie, Chicago, Illinois
This elaborately carved walnut court cupboard is a striking example of the Gothic Revival style as interpreted in late 19th-century Flanders. Its densely ornamented façade—featuring pierced tracery panels, quatrefoils, rosettes, and grotesque masks—is characteristic of Flemish craftsmanship, which favored exuberant surface carving and rich architectural detail. Twisted columns flank the central panel, while the open stretcher base recalls the structure of 16th- and 17th-century court cupboards traditionally used to display silver and fine wares.
Incorporating earlier carved fragments, the piece embodies the 19th-century passion for reviving medieval art and domestic grandeur. Its blend of historic ornament and romantic imagination reflects a pan-European fascination with the craftsmanship and symbolism of the Gothic past.
