I recently bought an antique cabinet, described as "Nineteenth century French Renaissance Revival." It is quite beautiful, and some of the carvings strike me as possibly alchemical in nature.
The back wall of the cabinet features a man's face with an acorn cap and oak branches growing out of his mouth.
The bottom doors of the cabinet feature three dragons, one emerging from a cauldron.
The drawer of the cabinet features more faces with oak branches growing from their mouths.
The side supports each have a rather classic looking wizard with beard and tall hat.
Here is a link if you'd like to see the pictures yourself: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/130200039_french-renaissance-revival-carved-oak-cabinet
My question is, do you think these symbols may have alchemical or occult meanings? The cabinet is from the same era as Levi. Were occult ideas fashionable enough at the time to make it into furniture?
Antique cabinet
The back wall of the cabinet features a man's face with an acorn cap and oak branches growing out of his mouth.
The bottom doors of the cabinet feature three dragons, one emerging from a cauldron.
The drawer of the cabinet features more faces with oak branches growing from their mouths.
The side supports each have a rather classic looking wizard with beard and tall hat.
Here is a link if you'd like to see the pictures yourself: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/130200039_french-renaissance-revival-carved-oak-cabinet
My question is, do you think these symbols may have alchemical or occult meanings? The cabinet is from the same era as Levi. Were occult ideas fashionable enough at the time to make it into furniture?