Antique French Regence China Buffet

Antique French Regence China Buffet is a study in architectural excellence!  A blending of the elements from the Louis XIV and Louis XV periods, it is one of the most endearing and definitively French styles.  The top tier features undulating archwork with a step-front center section for amazing visual appeal from any angle.  Glazing appears on the sides, on the doors, and even on the cornerposts and crown sections, all designed to allow as much ambient light into the piece so to make your cherished family heirlooms, keepsakes, or collection on full display.  Three doors allow easy access, and two shelves combine to create 3 surfaces.  The bottom tier is also designed on a step-front concept, with the center section being a tier of four drawers flanked by cabinets on each side.  Scrolled legs and apron carved with cross hatching and stylized foliates provides support.  The most amazing details are the carved embellishments, however!  Starting at the top center, a boldly sculpted shell with scrollwork, pediments and foliates presides over the entire affair.  Carved shell and scrollwork overlay appears on the crown glazing interrupted by framed shells on the four mitered cornerposts.  At the bottom of those same cornerposts appear baskets bursting with flowers positioned above shells, again overlaid onto the glass surface, with delicate foliate scrollwork descending down from above.  The cabinet doors received the most attention, with cross hatching, scrolled pediments, floral, foliates and even a fishscale basket of flowers overlaid atop the glass, while at the bottom of the glass appear complementary pediments, foliates and an urn form at the center.  And that's just the upper tier!  The lower tier features a solid look with carved cornerposts, foliates and shells in abundance, exceptionally fine molded detail, cross hatching, shells and of course cast brass key guards.
What a magnificent example of the cabinetmaker's art!
Circa early 1900s
Measures 94.5H x 77.5W x 22D