Object details

Accession number

F17s2.1-2

Primary Creator

Italian

Full title

Pair of Cabinets

Creation Date

early 19th century

Provenance

Purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner from the antiques dealers Sypher and Co., New York for $250 on 5 October 1880.

Dimensions

118.7 x 63.2 x 45.7 cm (46 3/4 x 24 7/8 x 18 in.)

Display Media

Mahogany and marble

Web Commentary

While attending finishing school in Paris during the 1850s, Isabella Stewart Gardner was captivated by French literature, culture, and history. Of particular note is her interest in the former French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. This pair of cabinets piqued Isabella's interest when she came across them in a sales catalog being advertised as once belonging to Napoleon during his exile on the island of Elba. Although this provenance has never been confirmed, Isabella purchased them in 1880, and added them to the Short Gallery where she kept several other Napoleon-related souvenirs.

Permanent Gallery Location

Short Gallery

Bibliography

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