Cordial glass c. 1870

This small, elaborately decorated, "Cordial Glass" cabinet (c. 1870) is an example of a "Cabaret" or "Cabinet de Toilette", a popular type of furniture in the 18th and 19th centuries. The cabinet, featuring a highly intricate design, includes a hidden compartment, glass decanters, and glasses for serving cordials and liqueurs. The intricate marquetry (inlay of wood of different colors) and brass accents on the piece demonstrate the skilled craftsmanship of the anonymous artist. This cabinet, part of the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was a popular decorative addition to home interiors and reflects the social and drinking practices of its time.