Large French Breton Lit-Clos Cabinet, 1817

Details

Description

A large Breton cabinet, former ‘lit-clos’. Dated 1817, rebuilt at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century. Made … Read more A large Breton cabinet, former ‘lit-clos’. Dated 1817, rebuilt at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century. Made from solid oak.

This extraordinary piece of furniture was originally a Breton lit-clos - a traditional built-in country house bed (alcove furniture). The ‘closed bed’ was the main piece of furniture in times (ca. 17th-19th century) when a room was both kitchen, living room and bedroom. Usually standing on a raised platform, it offered a combination of sleeping space and useful storage space for the household.
Hard to imagine from today's perspective, this compact piece of furniture was often a sleeping place for several people, who were generally not only smaller at the time, but also slept in a half-sitting position. As the pride and joy of its owners and a symbol of wealth, the furniture was lavishly carved and decorated with predominantly folk-art motifs.

In the course of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, living conditions changed even in the traditional regions of Brittany, so that many lit-clos were dismantled or converted into practical cupboards, in particular to preserve the valuable representative fronts.

This piece here is evidence of precisely this development, the original date of which can be determined from the date in the centre of the cornice as 1817. Remodelling in the late 19th century/early 20th century.

A two-part piece of furniture of architectural design on a rectangular base with a richly decorated, ornamentally, florally and figuratively carved front.
The lower section is made in a gallery construction with moulded sides, a profiled plinth, a large compartment open on three sides with a small gallery in front of the cassette back, wide fluted pilaster strips and 3 drawers.
The closed upper section has 2 sliding doors and one hinged door on each side, with small ‘window openings’ with rosettes and balustrades made of spindle mouldings breaking through the solid panels.

The entire front is decorated with small inserted brass nails, a beautiful contrast to the dark wood, and carved in typical folk-art style. While 3 primitive chicken depictions adorn the moulded drawer fronts, the entire upper front area is covered with tendrils, leaves and ornaments. The curved coffered panels show depictions of Breton women in traditional costume and French hussars.
The upper end is formed by the high cornice with an overlying wreath, in which birds and vines with grapes are depicted.

Behind the doors, the cabinet was fitted with practical height-adjustable shelves on support rails as part of the remodelling.

Dimensions
Height: 105 cm (base) or 256 cm (total) / 41.33 inch (base) or 100.78 inch (total).
Width: 204 cm / 80.31 inch.
Depth: 56 cm or 60 cm / 22.04 inch or 23.62 inch.

Internal dimensions behind the sliding door: 98 cm (38.58 inch) wide x 46 cm (18.11 inch) deep

Internal dimensions behind the hinged doors: 45 cm (17.71 inch) wide x 38 cm (14.96 inch) deep

Internal dimensions of the drawers: 17 cm (6.69 inch) high, 41 cm (16.14 inch) wide, 44 cm (17.32 inch) deep

Shelf in the base: 19 cm (7.48 inch) high x 19 cm (7.48 inch) deep


An impressive example of traditional Breton furniture art from the early 19th century that epitomises history, craftsmanship and regional identity.

Today, placed in a kitchen, dining room or restaurant, this unique piece is both practical and of great decorative value. An exceptional piece of furniture for storing glasses, crockery, table linen, wine bottles and spirits.


Very good authentic condition with stable construction, beautiful original patina and slight signs of age-related wear.


The furniture can be transported in 2 parts (lower part, upper part) plus shelves. See less