16th Century Period Renaissance Tuscan Walnut Credenzino

Exceptional Period Renaissance processional cross early 16th century, France Extremely rare and beautiful processional cross from the early period of the French Renaissance. This ...

Painted Demilune Cabinet Commode Console Absolutely gorgeous demilune hand painted cabinet console with upper drawer. It is decorated with th...

A stunning and exceptional 17th century Credenzino from Venice. This outstanding piece retains its original painted finish with a faux bois painted door panel and sun ray pattern to ...

Former collection Altounian At the beginning of the reign of Henri II (1547-1559) the furniture’s ornamentation evolves. The few medieval motifs that were still used are eventually relinquished. Furniture becomes more sober showcasing moulded panels and perfect architecture. Cabinet-makers use ornaments such as curved fluted or plain columns, feather quills, roses or winged putti heads. High-relief carving becomes more scarce and compositions lighter. To that end cabinet-makers draw inspiration from Fontainebleau motifs filtering them and adapting them to French taste. During this period cabinet-makers turn into a kind of architects. Indeed the architectural balance of furniture is the centre of their concerns. The study of Antic formulas is then a necessity. From this care given to proportions appear refined cabinets with pure lines. This style is characteristic of the reign of Henri II and disappears soon after under the regency of Catherine de Medici (1560-1574) when an abundance of high and low-relief ornaments comes back on furnitures. This two-bodies cabinet...