Early 19th Century French Buffet a Deux Corps from Normandie

2209-22023 (Click to Inquire About This Item)

94H x 62W x 23.5D

Location: Dallas

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Early 19th Century French Buffet a Deux Corps from Normandie is one of the most remarkable examples of its kind we've seen in over three decades in this business!  Sculpted by true artists from dense, old-growth indigenous white oak, it features detailing too abundant to fully express herein, but we will attempt to touch on the highlights.  The basic design is an old one, with a two door short buffet below and an upper cabinet above, designed to hold a wide variety of necessities and keepsakes, and in this case, perhaps a nicely sized flat panel TV.  The upper cabinet sports three interior drawers for added convenient storage.  The doors above and below have the stiles attached to the left side so the openings are completely unencumbered, especially thanks to the outboard-mounted brass barrel hinges that allow the doors to swing almost 180 degrees.  The really special aspect of this instant family heirloom, however, is the artistry of the carved detail, starting at the crown with no less than six distinct tiers of different carved detailing wrapping around the projecting round cornerposts and extending to the back of the piece.  The crown overlooks a bonnet that has been meticulously lavished with floral garlands, ribbon and tassels, centered with a Romanesque urn.  Spiral ribbon trim wraps around the door frames below, with doors that are lavished with cornucopias and acanthus leaves, with laurel and rosette accents.  Egg & dart surrounds the perimeter of the raised panel, with grape clusters, leaves and gardening symbols at the bottom.  Each door acts as a mirror image of the other.  Bold, embossed brass key guards complement the brass hinges, with a center stile that is lavished with complementary carved detail.  The bottom cabinet is a foreshortened version of the top cabinet in every detail but with a simplified stile that is of course attached to the left door.  The apron below is a work of art unto itself, depicting lovebirds nesting on a drapery swag, with wildflowers leading the eyes to the scrolled and carved legs.  What a true masterpiece and a rare find especially in this condition! Painstakingly stripped using our proprietary process that retains the patina and sheer natural beauty of the old wood, all performed by our expert in-house staff.
Circa 1820s
Measures 94H x 62W x 23.5D
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