18th Century French Louis XVI Period Mahogany Armoire

Price: $28,000

18th Century French Louis XVI Period Mahogany Armoire is a true gem of the cabinetmaker's art!  Only rarely do we come across pieces from the Louis XVI period around the time of our great nation's founding that are so exquisite and well-preserved.  This example was crafted from the finest exotic imported mahogany available at the time, with a classic chapeau de gendarme cornice and framework that were the standard for centuries, yet with a refined sculpted embellishment that could only have been produced by the most skilled of artisans.  The crown is boldly molded with multiple tiers, and shaped in the manner of the police and military officers of the time, hence the appellation.  The crown is rounded on the corners to follow the rounded cornerposts which are stout timbers of solid mahogany that extend from the crown to the tips of the elegantly scrolled feet tipped with escargot motifs.  At the center of the bonnet an oval medallion has been carved directly into the wood sculpted to depict a bouquet of wildflowers, an emblem favored by Queen Marie Antoinette.  Molded detail flanks the medallion and is embellished with floral and foliate relief.  The two full length doors are both arched to follow the chapeau de gendarme crown as well as cupped to complete the oval centerpiece, then lavished with complementary carvings of flowers and foliage, all atop a gracefully scrolled and molded upper panel.  Canted oval medallions grace the middle of the doors surrounded by fine molding, with lower panels following the form of the upper panels but devoid of carved embellishment.  The boldly contoured apron picks up the carved theme with relish, centered with a bold scallop shell flanked by flowers and foliage extending all the way to the exquisitely scrolled and carved legs.  The doors are hung with brass barrel hinges so they open wide, with the center stile attached to the left door allowing unfettered access to the shelved interior within.  What a magnificent example of prime materials, skilled artisanry, and unmistakable French design!
Circa 1780s
Measures 98H x 66W x 27D