Large Spanish Giltwood Panel or Overdoor, circa 1850

The reign of Napoleon III, often referred to as “The Second Empire”, featured an amalgamation of styles from previous regimes, ranging from the light and airy Rococo of Louis XV to the more stoic Neoclassical trophies of Louis XVI. Our painted giltwood overdoor from circa 1850 is in the vein of a Regence or Louis XV adaptation of the Napoleon III period. The piece is adorned with flowing motifs inspired by nature, such as the curled leaves, scalloped shell, and deep carvings seen on the overdoor. A main principle of Napoleon III furnishings was to utilize every inch available, as noted by the gadrooned leaf and rinceaux that emanate from behind the center medallion, forming a sprawling border. The medallion features an amazing high relief carving of a floral bouquet surrounded by curled leaves with scrolled tendrils and raised, asymmetrical panels. At the top is a scalloped shell, which is mimicked by a pair of parted leaves set at an angle in each of the upper corners. All of the carvings are presented in giltwood, which pairs nicely with the cream colored background that is enveloped in a quarter round molding (also gilded). The entire grouping is presented as a raised carving, with a thin board behind it that has tas de sable (sandpit) pilasters topped with block finials flanking the overdoor. Unique to most other antique overdoors...

Hand-carved in Italy circa 1850, this very large giltwood architectural was finished using a process known as meccatura, which involves co...

Often when centuries-old trunks did not survive the passage of time, 19th-century menuisiers (French woodworkers) would salvage the surviving wood and carve new furniture such as desks and similar trunks. The facade was typically the most ornate section of these antique trunks, making intact frontages highly valued antiques. Hand-carved from oak in Picardie, France, circa 1550, this period Gothic architectural is a beautiful example of an antique trunk facade that was not incorporated into a more recent furnishing. Picardie is a former administrative region in northern France that is home to many Gothic cathedrals. The Amiens Cathedral (mid-13th century) is the largest standing cathedral in Europe and is truly a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Our trunk frontage has five vertically oriented inset panels embellished with various forms of Gothic tracery, including high-arching niches...

Originally an overdoor from a boiserie room at a French chateau, this large architectural was hand-carved during the Louis XVI period, circa 1790. The overdoor is roughly rectangular, with the exception of the stepped bottom molding, which would have been necessary to fit over the door frame. In the center of the overdoor is a classical urn adorned with imbricated disks and gadrooning and topped with a pinecone finial. The vessel is surrounded by an ovate border embellished with bead and reel, an oval floret, scrolls, and foliage. Two bundled leaf swags emanate from the top of the medallion, flowing in opposite directions, with crinkled ribbon loosely twirled around the greenery. An additional crinkled ribbon is wrapped around the garland just before the swag feeds through a hoop and turns downwards. Prominent molding with several thick layers surrounds the low-relief carvings, providing a nice border to the architectural panel. The wood has been painted a grayish-green color, sometimes referred to as “French gray”, which is a very neutral color that can be paired with many interior color palettes. Our Louis XVI painted overdoor...

Hand-carved in Italy, circa 1850, this painted and giltwood cherub was designed to be a wall bracket. An angular geometric entablature with several layers of gilded molding provides a stable shelf (known in Italian as a mensola), roughly 20 ¼” W x 11” D. The underside of the shelf has been painted a mottled dark green. A multi-colored corbel sits beneath and is comprised of a winged cherub mascaron flanked by volute scrolls. Both the cherub and the sides of the scrolls have been gilded, with the remaining areas painted dark green. Hang our painted and Italian giltwood cherub wall bracket...

This beautiful parcel painted plaster and wood panel from Provence, France was made in the Louis XVI style. It features a bas-relief rendering of a pair of foliate rinceaux emanatin...

A very beautiful 18th century giltwood molding fragment from Barcelona. A beautiful floral motif with very high gold content.

Rope turned pattern with water and matte gilding .Nicks , chips and minor losses and subsequent touchups. Red bole bleeding through gilding in places.

Carved oak overdoor / architectural element featuring floral garland motifs, France, circa 1780.

A large pair of French Directoire over door panels depicting two cherubs and a swan.  

This architectural valance from the 19th century is beautifully carved in multiple dimensions with lotus, flora, and fruits on the vine and centered with a pearl of wisdom. It beauti...

18th Century Hand Carved Stone Coat of Arm Wall Mount Art Overdoor Crest Antique . Rare 18th century Blason Armorial Armoirie Coat of Arms with finely hand carved scrolls around an oval medallion. Great to wall mount this historic sculpture...