Provence– Late 1700’s Condition:  Previous restorations, age separations and rubs to wood, minor cracks on side panels consistent with age
From Nimes, in the heart of Provence, comes this magnificent Marriage Armoire of French walnut wood. Eighteenth Century French armoires from Provence are considered rare.  They are differentiated by conspicuous high and low relief of the pediment carving, the deeply shaped and molded panel carvings always left bare on their frontal surfaces, and rigorous pierced carving of their aprons. 
This armoire has ornamentation of a marriage armoire.  There are knotted ribbons surrounding a medallion with a central floral basket and scrolling foliage on the frieze.  The central panel attached to the left hand door displays two molded panels with asymmetrical foliage centered by a double handled urn with heart shaped foliage and a stemmed flower.  Each door features shaped and molded asymmetrical panels, left unadorned as was the norm for armoires made in the region of Nimes.  At the top of the panels, there is ornamentation of foliate and floral sprays.  Between each asymmetrical panel, the ornamentation has knotted foliate sprays, expressing more marital attributes.  The deeply pierced and carved scalloped apron’s ornamentation has a central double handled urn with flowers and scrolls of asymmetrical leaves to either side.  The feet are scrolled and the rounded corners have panels of leaves and husks.  The sides have three unadorned panels with a scalloped apron. Pewter Octagonal Fiches with Ropes Twist Motifs- Original Lock and Key - Late 1700’s

Eighteenth century armoires from Provence are considered rarities.  This antique French, Nimoise marriage armoire will not disappoint you.