18th-century baroque wardrobe in ash - Elbląg

Technical sheet. * Style / Period: Baroque, Prussian-Oriental (production centre: probably Elbląg), second half of the 18th century. Lock dated 1789. * Material: Ash veneer, marquetry inlays in plum wood. Structure in softwood. Oil-wax finish. * Dimensions: Height 235 cm|Width 198.5 cm|Depth 70 cm (depth of internal shelves: 42 cm). Description of form and structure (Art history analysis) Hall wardrobe with two doors topped by a moulded cornice with architectural projections and recesses. The door leaves and side panels feature reserves in ash veneer with pronounced grain. The decoration is accentuated by sinuous geometric frames made of contrasting plum wood marquetry inlays. The base incorporates two drawers with marquetry fronts. The structure rests on five supports: three turned ball feet at the front and two square-section block feet at the back. Important technical characteristic: the wardrobe can be completely disassembled into 7 distinct elements, facilitating transport and installation in restricted access areas. Historical details and condition report. The inner face of the door features its original lock in a steel casing, covered with a repoussé brass plate engraved with initials and the date "1789". The back panel displays a fragment of a historical Prussian railway shipping label (dating from after 1895) mentioning the destination station Stallupönen, documenting the historical transit of the object in the region. The piece has undergone a complete conservative restoration. The structure is stable and the movable elements are adjusted. The lock is functional, and the key is included. Signs of previous wood-boring insect activity are visible in the structural wood; they are completely inactive and have been treated. The object has not been used since its restoration.