Pair of Antique Italian Buffet Credenza Each with Two Doors Italy circa 1860

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Pair of Antique Italian Buffet Credenza Each with Two Doors Italy circa 1860

About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! A pair of antique Italian Neoclassical two door buffet or credenza circa 1860 with an original hand painted design covering the surface. These marvelous buffets or credenzas were originally flanking the doorway to a dining room in a home outside of Siena. The wonderful combination of colours and patterns that make the painted design on these buffets resemble the extraordinary marble floors and frescoed ceilings and walls of Italian palazzos. Each of the buffets are constructed of pine with two doors that open with a key on the right hand door when the lock is released. When open the doors reveal a wide shelf that bisects the interior space and doubles the amount of available storage. The pale colour of the pine makes the interiors quite bright and enables the objects placed within to be seen with ease. Each door has a recessed panel in the centre that is painted with the same pattern that reflects the grandeur of inlaid marble with a large central oval medallion. The symmetrical inlay effect is heightened by the use of deep rich ochre, porphyry red and ebon black that adds graphic power to the overall appearance. The outer border of the cabinet doors is painted all a single colour in order to frame the recessed section and this solid colour showcases the handsome piece of iron hardware known as an escutcheon on each door. An escutcheon is essentially a metal lock cover plate that protects the timber beneath it from an errant attempt to thread the iron key through the door to an inner iron lock. In this case the escutcheon is neoclassical in its pattern with an elaborate geometric layout that is pierced to allow the underlying painted surface to appear. The length of the escutcheon balances the boldness of the painted doors and matches the iron hinges that allow the doors to swing freely as they are opened and closed. Both of the buffets are decorated on the sides as well with an appealing trellis pattern that repeats the same colour combination as the front. The shading of the colours gives a wonderful three dimensional effect to the diamond pattern and was essential as these buffets were seen from both the front and the sides in their original space. What is interesting to note about the finish is that the tops on both buffets is a solid colour that of course shows signs of wear nearer the front edge. The choice of a solid colour was deliberate as this enables a dramatic collection to be displayed upon the top without any competition from an elaborate painted pattern. The simplicity of the rectangular shape of each buffet is amplified by the simple tapered legs that support each piece. This elevation of each buffet gives a sense of grace and lightness that is actually quite modern in its appearance. While we have a pair of these buffets we are offering them individually as well for $8836 each.

Dimensions:
Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 65 in (165.1 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Pine,Painted
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1860
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: DP148A1stDibs: LU8668824730