18th C. French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Armoire

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A handsome French Provincial carved walnut armoire dating to the 18th century, displaying the graceful curves and restrained Rococo ornament … Read more A handsome French Provincial carved walnut armoire dating to the 18th century, displaying the graceful curves and restrained Rococo ornament associated with the provincial Louis XV tradition. The substantial case is crowned by a deeply molded chapeau de gendarme or bonnet-form cornice above a carved frieze of scrolling foliage and stylized floral motifs. A pair of tall paneled doors is beautifully articulated with serpentine raised moldings, delicate carved foliate flourishes and fine dentil-like edging, divided by a fluted central stile and retaining decorative metal escutcheons and long iron barrel hinges. The doors open to a generous paneled interior with shelving, while the shaped and carved apron below echoes the floral ornament of the crest and transitions into short cabriole legs terminating in scrolling feet. Warm, mellow walnut tones and subtle variations in the surface lend the piece the depth and character expected of generations of use. A particularly decorative example of French country cabinetry, combining substantial storage with the sculptural silhouette and hand-carved detail characteristic of Louis XV provincial furniture.

92h x 64w x 36d See less