From the Chateau de Saint Bertrand de Comminges

This rare magnificent French armoire is from St. Bertrand de Cominges, a commune in the Haute- Garrone Department and one of the most beautiful villages in France..  It is an archeological site that witnessed the Roman city of Lugdunum more than 2,000 years ago.

The French Regence Period was a mere eight years and was under the regency of Philippe d’Orleans until young Louis was old enough to become King.  It was a period of intellectual vivacity, lightness of spirit and delicacy of expression.  During this time period clients sought to escape the suffocating constraints of the preceding period and furniture became less bulky in the interest of comfort and intimacy.  Ornament was never in excess and the lines of furniture became more curvaceous without excess or ostention.  It was a short period of a poised blend of charm and elegance.  Pieces from this period are understandably rare and much sought after.

This armoire has interesting hand carved ornamentation specific to the area from which it came. There is a lattice worked basket with tiny stems of flowers surrounded by triple leaves and foliate s-scrolls at the center of the frieze.  To either side are panels bearing twisted foliate stems.  The moldings surrounding the asymmetrical raised panels bear gadrooned acanthus leaves on the top of indented moldings ending in interesting circles with another shaped circle between.  The central dormant is attached to the left hand door and has ornamentation of two reptiles meeting at the center where gadrooned leaves surround another stemmed floret with buds.  There is a drawer at the bottom which has two handles within two panels having the same circle ornamentation as the doors.  The center ornament bears an escutcheon with a keyhole.  Above this drawer is a linear ornamentation of a squiggling vine with tiny flower at either end which is most unusual.  The shaped apron has foliate c-scroll moldings and a central ornament of two crossed stems of leaves.  The back feet have frontal shaped feet and the front feet are scrolled.

This period Regence armoire will be an asset to any home. Condition:  Old restorations consistent with age- Early 1700’s; age separations; interior shelves added at a later date; rubs and nicks to wood.