Régence Wardrobes and Armoires

This magnificent and rare period French Regence (1715-1723) buffet is made from French oak. It is referred to in France as a buffet deux corps (2 bodied buffet, upper and lower), and also a buffet de presentation. This large piece was used to house valuable faience, porcelains, dishes, and silver objects. During receptions at the Chateau, the doors would be left open to reveal all of the treasures inside. Many other buffets de presentation had double hinges on the doors, which would permit them to open widely. However, with very large pieces, such as this one, they were not necessary. Five separate upper compartments could open displaying a total of 24 large surfaces for objects. The lower body has 5 doors that open to show an additional ten surfaces for display. From the style of carvings, it can be considered a piece from the Ile De France, in otherwords, the Paris region. After the death of the Sun King in 1715, noble families were now free to return to Paris and build many luxurious homes. Others returned to the nearby countryside, where they filled their Chateaux with furnishings in the Parisian taste. A new category of furniture evolved, with more sumptuous lines, symmetrical shell carvings, more simple than that of Louis XIV, and in solid regional woods (no inlaid or veneered pieces). During the French Regence period, solid French Oak was a premier wood for furniture making. Overall, furniture design compositions remained quite symmetrical. When there were decorative asymmetrical motifs, they were always one of a symmetrical pair. Profiles were curved and undulating, as is the case with this piece. The center door with its lower cabinet is concave while the two adjacent doors are convex. The concave curved side doors are more indented than the front center three. The only straight panels are on the outer sides. Regence motifs were more delicate and featured the scalloped shell or coquilles, which are shown in a variety of shapes on this piece. Beneath the crown at the center top is the largest motif, a symmetrical pierced shell rising from two acanthus leaves and C-scroll acanthus leaves. Other motifs throughout this piece are stylized acanthus leaves, floral vines and c-scrolls. This period Regence, grande buffet deux corps once graced the large dining room of a Chateau in the Ile de France Region. It's sheer size, form, and beauty make it a true rarity. We believe it has been in the United States since the 1900's and more recently from a dealer in Los Angeles...

Early 19th century French Regence stripped oak armoire features clean lines enhanced by elegant carvings at the top, mitered corners and subtle mo...

Large wardrobe with two doors in solid walnut - France Armoire made, circa 1700, completely original ! Measures: 163 x 67 x 240 H.   

The 'Cross of Saint Louis', carved into the front panels of this armoire represents L'Ordre de Saint Louis. This was an honorary recognition devised by King Louis XIV in 1693, and th...

Crafted from the king of woods, rosewood, this stunning antique armoire was fashioned in the Regence style, a variation of the Baroque that has captivated aficionados across the worl...

Highly Carved Regence Walnut Armoire

Hand-carved to perfection and featuring a patinaed painted finish.

This Period Regence stripped European Oak armoire is typical of the Ile-de-France. Its ornamentation is elegant with deep curves, assertive moldings and tri-partite front panels having plain fields, which places emphasize on the beautiful moldings’ shapes. The stepped out arched (en chapeau) cornice with right angles has rounded corners while there is a shaped apron mimicking various lines of the front panels. The raised and beveled tri-partite panels on the sides are rectangular in shape. The feet are an extension of the rounded corners of the armoire. A sealer has been applied at some point in the armoires recent history. The Regence period was but a mere 8 years spanning from 1715 – 1723, when Philippe II, Duke d’Orleans was appointed Regent over King Louis XV who was only five year of age and too young to be king. A new period of interior decoration began and thrived until about 1730. Regence fostered a new elegance, lightness, refinement, comfort and a feeling of well being. Period Regence furniture...

Sculpted from select French walnut by master artisans, this stunning armoire features a serpentine front facade lavished with baroque-inspired carvings that have been highlighted in ...

This antique French buffet a deux corps was produced during the early period of Louis XV or early 1700’s, which was called” Regence”. So ...

From a mansion in Lyon, comes this superb and rare Period Regence Lyonnaise armoire. It has been sculpted from solid walnut wood and burled walnut w...