A cave à liqueur is a beautiful box used to hold small decanters and glasses for serving liqueur, a sweet, fermented drink typically served after dinner. The French mastered the craft of creating these boxes, often using fine woods and sparing no expense in decoration.  Cabinet makers would vie for an opportunity to create these boxes for the finest homes of the French Belle Epoque period, as they were considered a sign of status. The cave à liqueur always had a key so that the master of the house could allow access to as he so chose.  These are true works of art and highly prized by today’s collectors.

 

Tortoiseshell and moether-of-pearl were used as decorative inlays and veneers on antique furnishings.  Brass was often used as a trim.