From Nimes, in the heart of Provence, comes this magnificent armoire of European figured pear wood.  French armoires from Provence are considered rare, and are differentiated from other provinces’ characteristics by conspicuous high and low relief of the pediment carving, and rigorous pierced carving of their aprons.  In Nimes’ armoires, the front panel fields were left unadorned. 

 This armoire’s frieze panel has a central carved motif of love birds in a lush wreath surround of oak leaves bordered on either side by sprays of laurel leaves emanating from c-scroll oak leaves.  The central dormant attached to the left hand door bears sprays of oak and laurel leaves and the center ornamentation is a stylized cornucopia holding oak leaves, a pinecone, a bud and three stems of wheat stalks with leaves.  The front doors bear tripartite asymmetrical panels with shaped indents.  The shaped apron is centered with a pierced basket bearing a pinecone flanked by two pears and oak leaves atop crossed branches of oak leaves.  Pierced circles of oak leaves are at either end of the branches.  The front feet are scrolled with block back feet.  This beautiful European figured pear wood armoire from Nimes has had previous restorations, minor age separations, nicks and rubs to the wood, and a few missing portions of small ornamentations which are all commensurate its age.