Western Europe, France, Napoleon III period, ca. 19th century CE. Ooh la la! An intoxicating cabinet known as a cave a liqueur en trompe l'oeil de faux livres, or a false books liquor cabinet, from the Napoleon III period. The covert cupboard presents in the form of 6 stacked French books that are hinged midway to open and reveal a hollow interior containing a pair of glass liqueur bottles accompanied by 4 petite glasses. Curated by the most refined literary palate, the book titles cover a vast range of subjects from astronomy to religious philosophy to government, including, from bottom to top: "Oeuvre de Saint Francois de Sales: Vie de Francois, tome I," "Correspond Litteraire, tome II," "Eudoxe, Etude des sciences, tome II," "Questions de droit administratif, tome I" by Louis Marie de la Haye de Cormenin, "Lettres de San Francois de Sales, tome II," and "Cours de Condillac, tome II." Size: 5.7" L x 8.2" W x 6.8" H (14.5 cm x 20.8 cm x 17.3 cm)

These leatherbound codices are beautifully adorned with gilt designs of fleurs de lis - the symbol of French royalty - and other floral and geometric motifs, while stripes of maroon and black pigments further embellish the spines of each. Gold-painted details also embellish the liqueur bottles, forming elegant scrolling and vegetal patterns.

Provenance: private Conover, North Carolina, USA collection

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#171232

Some fraying, tearing, and small areas of loss to book covers. One strap hinge is disconnected from top. Bottle on left has wedged stopper, a few stable fissures to rim, and is nearly half full with liquid. Small nick to interior of top of box. Otherwise, excellent with great patina.