Cabinet attributed to Paul Poiret for Atelier Martine, France, 1920

Details

Description

Rare french cabinet attributed to atelier martine, the decorative arts workshop founded in paris in 1911 by fashion designer paul … Read more Rare french cabinet attributed to atelier martine, the decorative arts workshop founded in paris in 1911 by fashion designer paul poiret. A major figure in early 20th-century fashion, poiret extended his creative vision beyond couture into the decorative arts and interior design.

crafted from solid wood and plywood, the cabinet has particularly narrow and slender proportions. The upper section opens with two doors revealing a compartment fitted with a shelf, while the lower section features three stacked drawers.

its silhouette combines a deliberately restrained structure with details characteristic of atelier martine's decorative vocabulary: softened corners, a shaped lower stretcher, distinctive “elephant” feet, and drop metal handles decorated with stylised floral motifs.

this formal simplicity, almost vernacular in character, reflects the exploration of modern decorative furniture taking place in the early 1920s. Under paul poiret's direction, atelier martine developed a complete decorative universe encompassing textiles and wallpapers, as well as furniture and objects for the interior.

the cabinet has been restored and relacquered in a cream finish. The original hardware and handles have been preserved. Some traces of age and irregularities remain, consistent with its age and handcrafted construction. The upper drawer needs to be kept properly aligned when closing. The upper doors require gentle pressure to engage the original closing mechanism.

dimensions: h. 118 × w. 47 × d. 37 cm. See less