Mid 20th-Century French Provincial Louis XV-Style Stenciled Floral Six-Serpentine Drawer Chiffonier / Lingerie Chest

Details

Description

Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

The most interesting aspect of this six serpentine drawer chiffonier / lingerie chest, with its front concave … Read more Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

The most interesting aspect of this six serpentine drawer chiffonier / lingerie chest, with its front concave at the ends and convex in the center, is that a drawer front that begins as a piece of flat stock presents three distinct areas after shaping, creating a visually attractive and distinctive appearance. This beauty is raised on front cabriole legs ending in whorl feet and tapered legs on the back. The original curved vine-shaped antiqued brass drawer pulls are flanked, left and right, by whimsical stenciled floral sprays. The finish features a painted creamy pale linen hue with speckled pin dots of tan. Marigold trim accents on the perimeter of the drawers, scalloped top and front cabriole legs. Interior drawer bottoms are white. It is thoughtfully well made with drawers effortlessly gliding in and out.

A chiffonier (or cheffonier) may be used to describe at least two types of furniture, an ornamental cabinet with drawers or shelves or a high and narrow chest of drawers. Its name comes directly from a French piece of furniture, the chiffoniere. The French name, which comes from the French for a rag-picker, suggests that it was originally intended as a receptacle for odds and ends which had no place elsewhere. This beauty measures as follows:

Overall: 53” x 23” x 15” H/W/D
Drawers 1 through 3: 14” x 10¾” x 5¼” W/D/H apiece
Drawers 4 through 6: 14” x 10¾” x 6¼” W/D/H apiece
Approximate weight: 100 to 110 lbs.

We are guesstimating that this beauty was made in the 1960s to early 1970s. Though the Broyhill label is no longer affixed to the top drawer, the chest’s provenance can be ascertained by looking on the backside at the stenciled stamp which shows a traditional Broyhill style number and the date and plant where the chest was made. In overall excellent condition with age-appropriate wear such as random scuff marks to the feet. Of note, there is a small fine line splinter on the lower right cabriole leg (see photos 7 & 8) that does not impact the structural integrity of the chest.

This beauty’s charming look-and-feel will make a marvelous statement in a guest or child’s bedroom or serve as an excellent tall svelte storage chest in a sewing room or mudroom / breezeway.

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