Louis XVI Style Oak Wardrobe with Mirrored Door, 1900

Details

Description

A single-door oak wardrobe and linen cabinet, made in france around 1900 in the louis xvi style. The cornice, body, … Read more A single-door oak wardrobe and linen cabinet, made in france around 1900 in the louis xvi style. The cornice, body, and base are clearly structured, and the proportions are calm, so that the front appears closed and balanced despite the large mirrored surface. Historical context: during the 19th century, the mirrored wardrobe, or armoire à glace, became a standard feature of the middle-class bedroom in france. This was made possible by the industrial production of mirror glass, which made large-format mirrors affordable for broader segments of the population. The cabinet combined storage for clothing and linens with a dressing mirror, thus replacing a separate standing mirror. Single-door versions were particularly common in smaller bedrooms and secondary rooms.

around 1900, many furniture workshops revived forms from the late 18th century and adapted them for mass-produced household furniture. Features: the door is framed by fluted pilasters, and recessed rectangular panels serve as corner accents on the cornice and base. A drawer is integrated into the base, providing additional storage space below the cabinet.

design: the cabinet follows the louis xvi style of historicism around 1900. It has an architectural design, with a projecting cornice, upright pilasters, and a recessed base. The lines are consistently straight, and the ornamentation is limited to fluting and profiled panels. The side panels are constructed using a frame-and-panel technique and are divided into several sections. The beveled mirror is set in a profiled frame and dominates the front.

function: formerly: wardrobe and linen cupboard in the bedroom, also serving as a dressing mirror. Today: wardrobe or linen cupboard, coat rack in the hallway or entryway, storage space for textiles or books in the living room or study.

dimensions: h 180 × w approx. 100 × d 48 cm.
material and condition: the body and front are made of oak, the shelves are presumably made of softwood. The mirror is beveled, the fittings are metal, and a key is included. Inside, there are three shelves. The cabinet is in good condition for its age and has a calm, even patina. There is an age-related crack in the base. The mirror has some small cloudy areas. At kastellan, the cabinet was professionally inspected and refurbished: the wooden surfaces were cleaned and treated appropriately, the construction was checked, and it is stable and fully functional. See less