A captivating early 20th century Louis XVI style coiffeuse or vanity table, painted in soft tones of pale blue and cream, with delicate carved details and beautifully aged patina. Handcrafted in Provence during the 1920s, this charming Provençal piece reflects the enduring appeal of neoclassical design in French provincial furniture, combining elegance with lightness and whimsy.
The vanity features a graceful kidney-shaped form with a curved back gallery finely caned in natural wicker. The serpentine outline sweeps toward an elevated beveled oval mirror, held within a twisted ribbon carved frame with the inner border having les perles, beading that resembles a strand of pearls, next to the antique mirror glass. The twisted ribbon, one of the most iconic decorative motifs of the Louis XVI period, symbolizes femininity, grace, and romance. The tilt mirror rests within the architectural crest, flanked by scrolling returns and stylized Greek key flourishes. Its top is fitted with the original inset beveled glass surface, surrounded by lamb's tongue molding, a refined neoclassical motif often used in Louis XVI furniture, particularly around mirrors, panels, and in this case, glass insets. The unique appearance of antique mirror glass, as seen in this piece, always adds charm and character that is impossible to achieve with new mirror glass. The single central drawer is accented by a typical neoclassical brass pull in the form of a circular wreath with floral rosette backplate, hallmarks of refined late 18th century ornament. Raised on elegant tapered legs with stop-fluted detailing, topped by carved rosettes and decorative collars adorned with painted laurel leaves and berries, the vanity is unified by a graceful stretcher base, shaped in a modified oval with rosette carved corners and adorned with finely carved foliate decoration, adding both stability and sculptural refinement. The pale color palette of powdered cream and light robin’s egg blue, with the mellow warmth of age-worn patina, highlights the carved detailing and reflects the refined yet relaxed charm of Provençal style, evoking the breezy elegance of a sunlit boudoir in the South of France.
The use of caning in the wraparound gallery is a graceful nod to provincial interpretations of aristocratic design. Introduced to France in the 17th century, caned furniture quickly gained favor for its lightness, durability, and breathability, qualities especially valued in the sun-drenched southern regions like Provence. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, cane enjoyed a romantic revival, frequently appearing in painted furnishings inspired by the refined elegance of Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, blending courtly sophistication with the charm of country craftsmanship.
Vanities or coiffeuses rose to prominence in France during the 18th century, particularly under the reign of Louis XV and Louis XVI, as daily grooming rituals became integral to aristocratic and bourgeois life. By the 1920s, these personal furnishings experienced a revival in the decorative arts, reinterpreted with the charm and nostalgia of the Belle Époque and interwar period.
Both functional and decorative, this beautiful antique vanity is a perfect choice for a lady’s dressing room, guest bedroom, or as a poetic accent piece in a sunlit hallway or salon.
Dimensions:
back h - 52"; tabletop h - 32"
w - 43"
d -21"
knee clearance - 28"
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Maker: Unknown artisan
Origin: Provence, France
Date: Circa 1920s
Style: Louis XVI neoclassical
Material: Carved wood, caning, mirrored glass
Color: Soft celadon blue and cream polychrome with warm patina
Design: Cane gallery with beveled glass top, oval tilting mirror, single drawer
Hardware: Original brass laurel wreath pull
Details: Stop-fluted tapered legs, collar rings, rosettes, X-stretcher with turned finial
Condition: Excellent antique condition; minor wear consistent with age
Dimensions: 52"H (to top of mirror) x 43″W x 21″D; Knee clearance - 28"
Use: Vanity table, coiffeuse, writing desk, or elegant accent piece
Sold: Individually
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