19th Century French Renaissance Revival Hand Carved Oak Buffet in Stripped Oak

Details

Description

An extraordinary French Renaissance Revival buffet in stripped oak, distinguished by an exuberance of deep hand carving that transforms the … Read more An extraordinary French Renaissance Revival buffet in stripped oak, distinguished by an exuberance of deep hand carving that transforms the entire cabinet into a sculptural composition. Created during the height of the 19th century Renaissance Revival, it brings together the classical figures, fantastical creatures and abundant natural imagery that French woodcarvers drew from Renaissance design, executed here with remarkable imagination and skill.
At the center, an enchanting hand carved scene depicts a young angel beneath a tree, gently caressing two swans. The scene is framed almost like a painting in wood, surrounded by deeply molded geometric panels and elaborate scrollwork. Above, a pair of fantastical dolphins emerge from sweeping scrolls and flank a carved basket overflowing with flowers and fruit. The imagery continues across the upper frieze, where winged cherubs, acanthus leaves, flowers and fruit unfold around the central keyhole in vigorous relief.
The magnificent caryatids flanking the façade give the buffet much of its sculptural character. Each female figure is individually hand carved with flowing drapery and expressive features, descending into scrolls, foliage, grapes and fruit. Additional carved faces crown the corners, while wheat, grapes, flowers and scrolling acanthus continue around the base and sides. These traditional emblems of harvest and abundance are particularly appropriate to a buffet intended for the dining room.
What makes this cabinet so compelling is the sheer concentration of hand craftsmanship. The carving is not confined to a central panel or a few decorative flourishes. It travels across the drawer, door, caryatids, corners, base and sides, with even the perimeter of the top finished in a carved repeating border. The cabinetmaker used oak almost as a sculptor would use stone, creating depth, movement and expression while retaining the strength and architecture of the furniture beneath it.
Renaissance Revival furniture celebrated the virtuosity of the woodcarver, and this antique French buffet is an exceptional expression of that tradition. Exuberant and expressive without sacrificing function, it offers a wide upper drawer and a shelved interior behind the single door. Its stripped finish reveals every cut of the carving and the natural character of the oak, while its unusually compact scale makes such an extraordinary level of decoration all the more desirable.
Circa 1870s
Measures 42H x 40W x 22D
This antique French buffet is available at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques, Dallas Design District, Dallas, Texas. See less