Featured Dark (Black) Veneered Sideboard - Style? Age? Origin -German?

Mum picked up at the auction room in Carlisle in the 80's - put reserve bid on! You used to find loads of great stuff in the 80s!
My parents had to completely refit all the original fixtures in the Victorian house they bought in '84 as previous owners had ripped out everything - we found every single thing to be replaced in skips!!

 

Yes the 1980s were great fun finding stuff days for me!

It looks more German to me than English, although others on this board may know differently. Let's let them give an opinion on the geographical location of the carving of the grapes and vines.

It's a labor of love to rehab / restore / reno a Victorian house!
Patience is key.

 

Beautiful piece. Welcome to the forum.

 

Aha. Carlisle. That would make sense for a Scottish piece. Often dark or ebonised, and certainly heavily embellished with carving. As to grapes and leaves, that's fine. This was meant as a sideboard in a dining room, probably a prosperous middle class house or minor squire. You'd keep your wines and ports in it, with your madeira, amongst other things.

 

Looks like this sideboard started out as a japanned or combination piece !! It looks more like mid 19th century England or Scotland !! That is why the heavy cracking on the finish in your pic !! Typically whiting (gesso) was used between the japanned layers which made the finish rather unstable !! As the years went by many would attempt to revive the finish by applying oil based black paint and you can see what the result usually was !!

 

Thanks for all your help on this piece - much appreciated!

 

Thanks Marthahill, I never realized the white on a lacquered piece was gesso!