Antique French Henri II Style Carved, Weathered Oak Buffet, Brittany circa 1875

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About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! A splendid antique French Henri II style carved oak buffet from Brittany, circa 1875 now in a pale colouration. This richly ornamented buffet is notable for the excellence of the carving seen across the front and both sides that both tells a story as well as providing decorative interest. Please enlarge the additional photographs provided and use the zoom feature to see in detail the unique configuration of motifs as well as individual scenes that make this buffet so memorable. The top serving and display surface has a moulded edge around its perimetre that gives a definition to the top. Directly beneath the top is the apron that contains the three drawers each affixed with their original handle. The front and both sides of the apron possess a slight convex profile with an outward tilt to the front. This was the choice of the cabinet maker who was well aware of the effect of the light available in the rural dwelling this piece was made for. The dance of flickering flames would have seemingly brought the carving to life and the change in profile magnified the effect. All three of the doors are framed by a turned upright column defined with a slight taper as well as both vertical and horizontal decoration. Again by being placed slightly forward of the cabinet they helped reinforce the visual sense of depth that gives the buffet such interest. The man and woman featured on the doors are intriguing because they are recognizable as true inhabitants of Brittany, the most northwestern province of France. The first clue is the traditional dress of both figures with the lady appareled in the customary bonnet and apron over the full length dress while they both are shod in the wooden shoes known as "sabots". As they make their living from the land they are both positioned within a landscape on the left and right doors while sitting. In the centre door they are shown at a market day with the seated man playing a fluted instrument while the lady stands with her basket. The other clue is the use of individually turned spindles that appear in the upper section of each door. On the left and right door the spindles are arrayed in an arch while they are placed in the upper left and right corner of the centre door. Traditionally they would have had brightly coloured cloth placed behind the door to provide colourful contrast to the timber and the cloth would have coordinated with the other cloth used for chair covers and curtains in the same room. The entire cabinet is elevated on round feet while the lower apron has a curved edge that flows outward and is similarly carved for decorative effect. The sides of the buffet also feature handsome carving with an etched effect being used to create the pattern. It is obvious from the delightful amount of carving on this entire piece that it was meant for a specific home where it needed to be finished on all three sides as where it as placed meant it needed to be beautiful from all directions. The buffet offers the entire inside for storage as all drawers open fully and each door locks and unlocks to reveal an interior bisected by a shelf that effectively doubles the available space. The buffet began life with an extremely dark stain as it was the fashion of the day. Now the dark colour has been removed in order to focus attention on the wonderful skill of the cabinet maker who made this buffet.

Dimensions:
Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 63.5 in (161.29 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
Style:
Renaissance Revival (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Oak,Carved
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1875
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: ELE11stDibs: LU86681082458

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