18th Century Country French Vaisselier ~ Buffet

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18th Century Country French Vaisselier ~ Buffet was designed to perform three essential functions, and to do it with flair … Read more 18th Century Country French Vaisselier ~ Buffet was designed to perform three essential functions, and to do it with flair and style! Hand-crafted in the Lower Brittany region, its style influence was derived from centuries of French artistry in wood, most notably the Louis XIV style. The most obvious function is display, with two sturdy, deep shelves and a serving surface perfect for showing off a family's finest china. At dinner time the serving surface was adequate to feed a modest sized family. Below, three drawers and two cabinet doors open to reveal capacious storage for the third function. The fine cabinetry begins with the multi-tiered crown, which appears over the undulating scrolls of the bonnet, carved with stylized wildflower, foliate and sunflower motifs. The upper tier rests on a solid plank and panel back with cornerposts in front carved with subtle flowers and a scrolled leg. Even the upper sides and lower sides are comprised of raised chamfered panels. Three drawers below the serving surface are carved with molded framing and wildflowers, then fitted with steel bale pulls and at the center a stylish key guard, to lock up the cutlery. Below, rounded cornerposts emulate those above, providing a framework with the help of the contoured and carved apron for the exquisite cabinet doors, each with a finely molded panel set in a framework with floral accents on each corner. Hand-crafted from old-growth indigenous oak to literally last for centuries!
Circa 1790s
Measures 89H x 55W x 23D; surface 38H See less