Spectacular Walnut and Burl Walnut Régence Armoire From Lyon, France, Circa 1715

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An armoire of this caliber—a walnut masterpiece from Lyon—was undoubtedly commissioned by French nobility. In this era (circa 1715), the … Read more An armoire of this caliber—a walnut masterpiece from Lyon—was undoubtedly commissioned by French nobility. In this era (circa 1715), the prestige of a family was reflected in the artistry of their furniture, with the finest Lyonnais ébénistes pushing the boundaries of their craft for their most affluent patrons. The grand and intricate carvings have the trappings of the Regence period, but the helmeted figures in profile on the side pilasters indicate that a member of the family was a knight with ties to the royal court.

Standing over nine and a half feet tall, the size of the armoire is impressive, as noted by the elongated doors with thick molding. Each door features a triad of gracefully contoured burl walnut panels. Their deep, swirling brown patina offers a striking counterpoint to the warmer, caramel-toned timber of the armoire’s primary frame. Leaves of various shapes and sizes surround the barbed boundaries of the panels, with subtle lozenge-patterned ground near the leaves at the crest of the doors. Three large iron hinges allow the doors to open, revealing four shelves (the guides for three shelves are missing, so only one shelf is installed in the detail photo).

The crown, which is adorned with egg-and-dart over a deep cavetto cornice, has a slight arch to accommodate an amazing carving of a protruding, gadroon leaf crest. A floral margent trails down from the large leaf while leafy branches partially obscure the lozenge ground behind the crest. Supported by a pair of large bun feet in the front and blocks in the back, set beneath a partially rounded apron consisting of multiple layers of molding. Our period Regence armoire is an eye-catcher and deserves to be a statement piece in a grand foyer, bedroom, or living room. See less