Antique Louis XVI Walnut Wardrobe

Details

Description

A stately wardrobe or hall cupboard from the second half of the 18th century. Transition / louis xvi period. Crafted … Read more A stately wardrobe or hall cupboard from the second half of the 18th century. Transition / louis xvi period. Crafted from solid walnut. Restored condition with a beautiful, authentic patina.

a high-quality, one-of-a-kind piece and an outstanding example of late 18th-century furniture design, strongly influenced by french styles.

a walnut cabinet traditionally crafted as a so-called ‘zwickel’ or ‘spaltschrank’, which can be divided vertically down the centre (for transport purposes) using wedge joints. Resting at the front on three (carved) winged paw-shaped feet, at the rear on block feet with a heel, and featuring panelled sides. The front is architecturally structured by diagonally positioned corner pilasters and a central pilaster, which terminate in naively carved ionic capitals. Two doors, each lockable with an original lock and key, are hung on large external brass hinges. Both doors are made in frame construction, each featuring two rectangular and one curved door panel with mouldings. The upper section is formed by the cornice, featuring a frieze zone decorated with festoons (garlands) and a superimposed, multi-moulded and crimped cornice moulding. Large original key plates, stamped from brass, complete the front of the cabinet.

inside, the wardrobe is fitted with four shelves on the right-hand side, as well as two clothes rails and a further shelf on the left-hand side.

the back panel is made of pine and clearly shows traces of traditional working with a roughing plane, as well as exclusively hand-forged iron nails used for fastening.

dimensions

height: 215 cm / 84.65 in.

width: 145 cm or 175 cm (max. Cornice) / 57.09 in or 68.90 in (max. Cornice).

depth: 53 cm or 67 cm (max. Cornice) / 20.87 in or 26.38 in (max. Cornice).

shelf depth: 44.5 cm / 17.52 in.


ready for everyday use. In good, restored condition with slight age-related signs of wear, including a few old woodworm tunnels (inactive!) and small wooden repairs (decorative elements). The surface has been carefully cleaned and polished, and the interior fittings have been replaced.


the wardrobe can be dismantled into two parts, plus the cornice, doors and interior fittings, for transport. The two body sections feature tongue-and-groove joints at the interfaces, which fit together precisely and can be securely joined using two large wooden wedge joints at the top and bottom. See less