The outside of this cabinet was originally veneered with plain ivory (the engraved ornament is a later addition), which strongly contrasted with the dazzling display of silver and gilt-silver decoration in the interior. The three central plaques depict the Roman gods of agriculture (Ceres, at left), wine (Bacchus, at center), and love (Venus with Cupid, at right). They illustrate a maxim of the Roman dramatist Terence, Sine Cerere et Libero friget Venus (“Without food and wine, love would grow cold”), which appears in his comedy The Eunuch (161 b.c.). Furnished with multiple drawers and secret compartments for the storage of valuables, writing equipment, and toiletries, the cabinet also contains a removable dressing mirror and game board.
