Code 209

Louis XV Style European Oak Armoire

An Antique French Louis XV European Oak Armoire – Good Antique Condition – minor rubs to wood commensurate with age –Circa 1850

This exceptional antique French armoire was probably originally carved in the Normandy region.  Normandy furniture making began to flourish during the seventeenth century as maritime commerce brought prosperity to the province.  European Oak, during this period, was used for the finest pieces of furniture. The armoire was the region’s most representative piece, with rich carving on the elliptical medallions on the doors, either vertical or at an angle.  Normandy armoires were also identified by carved elliptical medallions on their central dormants and curved side panels.  The feet are more ornately carved than in other regions.  Cornices were flat during the nineteenth century. 

On this armoire, prosperity is the key decorative theme having cornucopia, flowers and shells representative of the rich land and maritime commerce.
The stepped in  cornice has a decorative banding of rolled reed and  acanthus leaf interspersed with a rolled incised flat ribbon.  Beneath this is a molding of bead and astragal.  The frieze carries a central shell with cabbage rose stems at the top.
To either side of the shell are flowers and acanthus leaves carved differently on either side.  Above each door’s asymmetrical panels are different carvings of cornucopias from which stems of marguerites flow on the left, and on the right, stems of cabbage roses.  Gadrooned leaves surround the cornucopias.  The doors have elliptical medallions with hand carved bunches of flowers tied with ribbons, each carved differently from the other. The faux dormant has a vertical elliptical medallion with gadrooned leaves on the top and bottom. The curved sides have the same decor.  The serpentine shaped apron has a central dropped asymmetrical c-scroll gadrooned leaf design.  The two front feet are elaborately carved with roquillards and elliptical medallions carrying a shell design.  The back feet are block.

Subdued and elegant, this hand carved antique French Normandy armoire will grace any room.

Height 102 1/4" Width 69" Depth 23 1/2"

SOLD

Le Louvre Antiques

1400 Slocum Street

Dallas, TX  75207

214-742-2605    FAX: 214-742-2639

www.lelouvre-antiques.com

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