A tale of two cabinets...

Hello! First of all thank you for the great forum, I really appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge and experience.

I am trying to help my mother who wants to purchase an genuine antique cabinet/buffet. She has found two that she likes but are very different. The one she likes the most has been described to us as an "1870s French Renaissance Revival walnut buffet." I took a look at it for her and, while it's very cool and looks "old" I can't help but feel like something's not right with it. If it's solid walnut why is the wood so light and the stain so dark, to the point where none of the figuring of the wood can be seen? If the finish is original then why does it remind me of something off 1950s furniture? The dovetails don't quite look handmade and why is the finish inside the cabinet different from the outside? Anyway, here are some pics, anyone see anything that would make them think this was a later copy?
The last pic is the other cabinet she is considering, an 1850's transitional mahogany breakfront cabinet from England and it seems legit.

Front again by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Front by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Finish flaking by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Exposed wood by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Lock by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Drawer dovetails by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Lock by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Bottom corner back by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Top corner back by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:31 PM

Front by Grey Proctor posted Jul 22, 2017 at 9:33 PM

 

I don't see anything wrong with the first one, though don't see anything particularly French about it. Looks like oak in that interior pic with the lock. Can't tell what it is from the outside. Old lacquer turns black over time with temperature extremes and that may be what we are seeing here. Another possibility is that it is an ebonized finish.

 

I agree with Brad.
I also think that it is European, although not French.

The only thing that might be replaced are the brasses @verybrad what do you think?



I think this is the older of the two pieces. The missing glass in the middle is a problem.

 

The first one is from Mechelen in northern Belgium (province of Antwerp).
Mechelen has had an important woodcarving and furniture industry since the 15th century, using mostly local oak. The furniture styles evolved over the ages, but there was always detailed carving. This cabinet is typical of 19th century Mechelen.

 

Wasn't sure about the brasses. Assumed the key newer. Think the second one is probably missing a top crown for the center piece. Also agree it to be the older of the two.