Featured Does anybody know please? Cupboard/cabinet

Hello! I bought this cupboard/cabinet for a bargain - just because I liked it.
It would be great if anyone knows what period this is from please and what its use may of been for? I am intrigued!
It has a lockable door (to which I do not have key. it has a glass front and a curtain behind it. the inlaid pattern on the front is also on the top of the cupboard.
I think its beautiful! But I really would to know some background on it.
If anyone knows I would be very grateful please! Thank you!

 

Can we see a pic of the top ? Is it upside down in your pics? Im guessing victorian,1870s maybe,and the fact its accessible from both sides ,maybe a library piece?

 

Thank you! The photo is not upside down.. and only accessible through the one glass door.. here are a few more pics.. picture of top looking down.. pic of door open and a pic of back which is full wood

 

Size please?

Does the underside or back look like it might have attached to anything?
Might be part of a man's dresser, Top Hat?

 

I can't upload pics now for some reason

 

nothing on underside and the back has two small holes at very top... no other holes at back

 

Would probably classify this as renaissance revival and agree with the circa 1870 date given by Johnny.

 

Looks to be late 1800's liqueur cabinet where one would store the old, valuable stuff, it almost looks like it was something that was able to be stacked too. Dunno, but it sure is pretty! I like the memorial cab idea too. If it was wall mounted then would there be some holes on the inside/back for mounting? Would like to see the insides

 

So those arent the feet in the pics ? I swear it looks like its upside down.Wouldnt the capitals on the columns be at the top ? Am I just seeing things ?!?

 

I have been trying to make the pics smaller but its driving me mad... I will try again tomorrow as it is late at night and I have to get up for work in the morning.
It really doesn't seem like it is upside down to me as the bottom of the cupboard has smooth metal 'feet' and there is no pretty inlaid patterns on the bottom, like there is on top. It is very quirky isnt it! I just had to have it as I like old unusual things!
Thank you for all your great suggestions... they are all really interesting! They are all better than my silly husband's suggestion - he said he bets it showcased a severed head inside... I really don't want to dream of severed heads in my cupboard tonight!
Thanks again! I shall be back tomorrow hopefully able to add my extra pics!

 

The curtains were used to keep what ever was stored in there away from the light. Not necessarily to hide something.

 

Size might be helpful.

 

Would love to see some more pics, this is something I truly love, a mystery. I joined this site to find out info on some old stuff, but may have yet not posted enough to start a thread, however it seems I can comment now. A picture of underneath and some close-ups of the joinery would be especially helpful for those who date furniture, many clues in there. size would be nice, my guess is 20x20x14, a small cabinet thing. The lock is interesting which makes me think it was a thing used to display something of high value or regard. In Victorian times it was not unusual for people of means, to have 'special objects' placed in special places in their own customized show cases, using the best of local cabinet/furniture craftsmen to do it. Finding the time/date and maker is entirely another matter far beyond my expertise, but this is my type of fun, hope you find out what it is and rem to tell the forum here. Best regards, CC.

 

The wood seems like a walnut veneer, the decorations seem inlayed parque (sic) and the cross may be of some Germanic origin. I have seen russian objects with similar builds, but the decorative inlays of this are slightly different, my gut tells me its of cica late 1700's-early 1800's. Only a guess, surely would like to see the real answer.

 

A very cool score! *jelly*

 

Can you post a picture of the inside?

 

How about out of a church....something to keep the Sacrament in????? Before everyone gets too maudlin

Edit: And the lock does look like it's been 'hacked'.......

Edit 2: But it also looks NIFTY as all getout!!!!!!!

 

Thanks everyone! Lets hope I have managed to sort the picture size out now.. I am no good at that type of thing! Picture of the top, picture of inside, picture of the back and pic of the underneath feet.
It is 25 inches wide
16 inches deep
21 inches high
must add there is no longer a lock, just signs where a lock once was.
Excuse the dust on it - I only collected it yesterday and I am yet to clean and polish it all up!