Poniatowski cabinet at The Hunterian Art Gallery

An important piece of 18th century amber work surprisingly turned up in Scotland. How it got there is a bit of a mystery, but it once belonged to the last king of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski, who was forced to abdicate in 1795 and later died, deeply in debt, in 1798. Lady Barbara Carmont of Edinburgh donated this important piece to the collections at Malbork Castle Museum in 1979. According to Lady Carmont, the cabinet had made its way to Italy after the death of the king, where it was purchased by an ancestor of Lord Carmont, who at that time was a treasurer at the Vatican. The cabinet, apart from its undeniable artistic value, is of immense historical value to Poland, as it contains engraved scenes and inscriptions relating to the most significant events from the life of Stanislaw August. Even more important are some personal inscriptions hidden beneath the amber medallions, which express the bitterness felt by the monarch after he was almost kidnapped by the Bar Confederation (an association of Polish nobles) in November 1771. The cabinet is in the shape of a miniature baroque cabinet filled in with drawers. In the central recess is an earlier 17th century statue of the Virgin Mary with Child. Perhaps Stanislaw August had this piece of furniture made with the intention of placing the amber Madonna in the recess as a votive offering for being rescued.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Amber
• Poniatowski cabinet
• Hunterian Art Gallery