19th Century Country French Walnut Vitrine from Normandie

19th Century Country French Walnut Vitrine from Normandie is a marvelous example of the furniture crafter's art, rendered by talented rural artisans in a regional design developed over the course of centuries of traditional craftsmanship handed down from generation to generation.  Normally not found in sumptuous French walnut, such examples are quite rare.  The classic form is evidenced by a subtle chapeau de gendarme cornice appearing over the bonnet centered with a full relief basket of flowers, accented by olive branches.  The top of the upper glazed door is contoured to enhance the framework around the bonnet carving, and is itself carved with complementary olive branches plus a scallop shell motif.  An elegantly figured framework on the door surrounds the glass, augmented by glass panels on each side allowing maximum ambient light to enhance viewing of your family heirlooms or collection displayed within on the lower cabinet surface and contoured shelf.  The rounded cornerposts are carved with olive branches in the same vein, and extend down past the centered full width, bowed drawer, past the lower cabinet to the scrolled legs and feet below lavished with acanthus plumes and scroll designs.  A boldly contoured apron carved with thematic olive branches and wildflowers finishes out the adornment below.  Even the drawer and doors are carved with olive branches and finely scrolled framework, with surprising storage behind the doors below.  Steel barrel hinges, key guards and drawer pull provide the finishing touch.
Circa 1870s
Measures 76H x 30.5W x 19D