THE POET'S CABINET: AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH SET OF FOUR PAINTED PORTRAITS OF POETS, ATTRIBUTED TO JEAN AUGUSTE EDOUARD LIENARD (FRENCH 1779-1848)

the four oval painted portraits fitted in a carved and ebonised Renaissance Revival wall cabinet, with swan neck pediment centred by a classical mask beneath a shell with flaming finial above, the sides with bearded male caryatids and carved with volute scrolls, the panelled doors carved with lion masks, opening to reveal the four oval portaits painted on porcelain of Dante, Ariosto, Tass and Petrach, all depicted in classical attire,

the portraits 13cm high, the cabinet 61cm high

The portraits were originally attributed to Lienard by a specialist at the British Museum some years ago.