Antique of the Week ~ Country French Armoire

November 15, 2011 Leave a Comment Written by Inessa Stewart

Literally, a cabinet for armor, the antique armoire we enjoy today has a long and rich history in France, most particularly in the provinces where skilled artisans used hand tools to produce works of art that have decorated homes for centuries. Each of the provinces tended to develop unique style motifs and Brittany is no exception. The residents of the Bretagne peninsula have a long history of association with the sea. Their furnishings were adorned with carvings relating to the sea, their Christian religious beliefs, their aspirations, and in general the joys of rural life.

Maritime commerce played an important part in the lives of the people of Brittany, and this particular armoire bears testament to that influence with references to a variety of fanciful sea creatures, Neptune’s trident, and more. In addition, it is readily apparent that the family that commissioned this work of art were also devout, as evidenced by the depictions of a nun & a bishop, who could in fact have been family ancestors. Lastly, there is a sequence of motifs devoted to the military and the royal court, with fleurs de lys and helmeted warriors, not to mention a fierce visage of a lion’s head, symbol of French kings for well over a millennium.

The furniture of the Brittany region of France is reflective of its unique culture. Situated between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, the Bretons have long been fascinated by the sea and incorporated maritime motifs in their art. The style was heavily influenced by the magnitude and rich decoration of the French Renaissance, co-existing with a regionally distinctive whimsy and charm. Typifying the aesthetic, this awe-inspiring rare French armoire is hand-crafted from select French walnut. Armoires of such importance were traditionally constructed over many years as part of bride’s dowry and housed her trousseau. Each panel was carved by hand from solid planks of wood, and no two panels are alike. Replete with nautical motifs of tridents and dolphins, Renaissance images of composite animals, cartouches and masks, and provincial religious figures, it is as captivating in its naivete as it is impressive in its craftsmanship. Circa 1710. Measures 86.5 x 63 x 26.5.

It is interesting to note that Brittany itself has two distinct styles that evolved over the centuries, now called Lower Brittany and Upper Brittany. Upper Brittany is closer to Normandie and the Loire Valley, usually trending towards a more elegant Louis XV and Louis XVI look. Lower Brittany pieces typically have straighter lines and more of a Louis XIII and Louis XIV style influence, with a squared outline and rectangular panels.

It is typical for Brittany pieces, more so in Lower Brittany, to be embellished with vivid and allegorical scenes and motifs. This armoire is a perfect example of that genre. Survived since the early years of the 18^th century, it gives us an amazing glimpse into what the people of that era held dear to their hearts.

My Antique Beginnings in Historic Odessa

November 9, 2011 Leave a Comment Written by Inessa Stewart

For years, collecting antiques has been a large part of my life. Many have asked me time and again why the subject of French antiques was of such intense interest to me. The answer lies in my roots, my birth and childhood in a great city that was the source of my sentiment towards antiques and my lifelong inspiration. My passion for history and antiques began as a child when my mother and I would attend museums, art galleries, opera, ballet, and theater. Being steeped in such a rich cultural heritage made a profound impression on me, and to this day I strive to recreate that magic everywhere I can.

19th century view of the famous Opera House where I learned to appreciate classical music.

The great city of Odessa was founded by none other than the Empress Catherine the Great, fulfilling her desire to establish a warm-water port for Russia, a country that up until that point had only Baltic Sea access, literally frozen in the winter months. What started out as a military conquest developed into a beautiful, multi-cultural and vibrant city, eventually becoming a “Jewel in the Russian Empire”. Catherine the Great’s timing was fortuitous, as the French nobility was fleeing during the French Revolution, and their talents were welcomed to shape the burgeoning city.

The famous Odessa Opera House as it stands today

By a stroke of genius, Catherine the Great appointed the Duc Du Richelieu, who had previously served the courts of Louis XVI as Marie Antoinette’s confidant and advisor. To him we owe the original design of the city, strongly rooted in neo-classical architecture and design, reminiscent of the greatest city of France ~ Paris. The wide boulevards with sycamore & acacia trees, beautiful fountains and statuary created a backdrop for the design of the city which flourished in the fertile Northern Mediterranean climate. The city grew quickly around the port, with an influx of merchandise and people from all over the world, adding a distinctive cosmopolitan aspect.

19th century view of downtown Odessa showcasing the famous onion domes of an orthodox cathedral.

Richelieu served as the governor of Odessa from 1803 to 1814, after serving in the Russian army to liberate the city from the Ottoman Empire. Widely acclaimed as one of the founding fathers of the city, his contributions to the design and infrastructure enabled Odessa to thrive. The next governor was another displaced French nobleman, Count Andrault de Langeron, who continued and expanded upon Richelieu’s work, after serving as a French general in the Russian Imperial Army battling against Napoleon Bonaparte.

Odessa developed into an unusually Western-style city, uniquely distinct from typical Russian cities of the era. Many literary giants including Pushkin, extolled the virtues of the city and contributed to its greatness. He was quoted as saying about the city that Odessa was where “the air is filled with all Europe, French is spoken and there are European papers and magazines to read.”

The Preobrazhensky Cathedral with early 19th century neoclassical Russian architecture

I was truly fortunate to be immersed in such a rich cultural milieu, where museums displayed some of Eastern & Western Civilization’s finest treasures, providing intellectual fodder for my eager mind, and laying a foundation in the classics that would be difficult to duplicate anywhere else.

By surrounding myself with antiques and items with historical significance I have been able to recreate a little of the magic of Odessa right here in the United States. I am truly grateful that Odessa and Europe were such important parts of my early years, imparting a lasting appreciation for beauty, art and design.

Antique of the Week ~ Louis XVI Console

November 3, 2011 1 Comment Written by Inessa Stewart

Perhaps no other style is as universally elegant as the antique French Louis XVI style, and this console is no exception! I always considered this one of my favorite styles, and it cannot be denied that its basis in classicism is both alluring and romantic. What’s not to love about florid Corinthian capitals, classic urns bursting with flower bouquets, cascading garlands and stately tapered columns?

Of course the style was originated during the second part of the 18^th century by the court of French King Louis XVI and his Queen of unquestioned elegance, Marie Antoinette. Highly influenced by amazing architectural finds of the century in both Greece and Italy, the style encompassed the best of ancient Roman and Greek architecture and design. All past significant antique French styles enjoyed a renewed popularity a century later during the Napoleon III and Beaux Artes period. In fact, Napoleon III’s wife, Eugenie, was especially enamored with the Louis XVI style, which is evident when examining pieces from the era. During the same period Italy followed suit, producing the so-called Neoclassical style which enjoyed its own resurgence, and artisans there produced exceptional works of the cabinetmaker’s art that rivaled those of the Parisian masters.

Epitomizing the early Beaux Artes aesthetic, this exquisite antique Italian console is completely hand-carved from solid walnut, and has survived with its original gesso & painted finish. Although the artistic execution occurred in Italy, it exudes the essence of the Louis XVI style. Classic motifs abound, beginning with the lovely rinceau apron which consists of solid blocks of walnut carved with splendid bas relief. Below the apron are magnificent garlands carved from single blocks with exceptionally detailed full relief, centered by the classic torchere & fascis motif. Italian artisans are legendary in their abilities to sculpt wood and stone, and this console was produced on a grand scale to perfectly illustrate that noted fact. Also original to the piece, the beautifully veined, Italian marble top completes the look. Inspired by the academic classical architectural style, this piece embodies such an approach to a regenerated spirit within the grand traditions of Greco-Roman designs. Italy, Circa 1880s. Measures 37 x 67 x 20.5.

The console as a piece of furniture actually began, in concept, as an architectural extension of the paneling and window sills, eventually evolving into a distinct piece of furniture that could be placed anywhere, but primarily in hallways and entryways. The main purpose of a console is to impress ~ to supply an elegant place to display objets d’art, and over which paintings and mirrors can be placed to create an entrance that will not soon be forgotten. This antique Italian console has all those attributes in abundance, and echoes the magnificence of the Louis XVI style to perfection!

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