A monumental 18th century French Régence period chateau armoire handcrafted of solid walnut by talented artisans in Lyon, circa 1720, having a chapeau de gendarme crown atop an intricately hand carved frieze adorned with beautifully carved rocaille cartouches and foliate. The large doors feature elaborately carved center medallions and open to reveal two interior shelves. Raised on bun feet. This exceptional provincial armoire has a rich and luminous patina and is a fine example from the Lyon region of France, renowned in the 1700s for its superior production of armoires.
When Louis XIV, the Sun King, died in 1715, his 5-year-old great-grandson, whose parents and brother had passed away, became king. Since Louis XV was too young to take the throne at the time, his uncle, Philippe d'Orleans (the Duke of Orleans), was appointed regent until Louis XV attained legal majority in 1723. The transition between the monarchs became known as the French Regency. Offended by the spectacle of Versailles during the Sun King’s reign, the Duke moved the royal court to Paris, where courtiers lived in less extravagant private residences. This was a transitional period in furniture design gradually changing from the imposing lines and opulent Baroque of the preceding Louis XIV period to the less formal Rococo era with of Louis XV.
The Régence was the period in French history between 1715 and 1723 when the nation was governed by King Louis XIV's nephew, Philippe II, Duc d'Orléans, while the future king, Louis XV, was still a minor and considered too young to rule. During this period, a new style of architecture and decoration emerged that bridged the gap between the Baroque and Rococo styles. This transitional style included furnishings that incorporated the grandeur of the preceding Louis XIV period with the curved lines and decorative motifs of the Louis XV style. These motifs included shells, masques, and sinuous foliated scrolls.
Rare, Régence period armoires such as this are the epitome of French Provincial furniture. They are increasingly difficult to find in this condition, especially with their original hardware, for it was often removed and melted down for ammunition during the unrest of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.The first armoires appeared in France during the latter half of the 16th century and were originally designed to store arms or armor. Most often the prominent feature of the home, these large cupboards were later used to hold a family's belongings – from linens to clothing to silver and even food. Cabinetmakers drew their inspiration from the cupboards of Italy, Germany, and Spain, but by the reign of Louis XV, the French armoire had reached its height of popularity and possessed a distinctly French flair.
One of the most significant features of fine Provincial armoires are the locks and hinges. Because these cupboards were a very important part of the household, little expense was spared in outfitting them with the finest hardware. Long ornate hinges, elaborately scrolled escutcheons and even the keys with intricate scrolling designs were an integral part of the overall design of the armoire. Often, the hinges, lock, and key cost more to produce than the armoire itself.
The expense of such a grand armoire was enormous and it often served as an indication of a family's wealth and social standing. As their wealth and possessions grew, armoires were added to the household and it was not unusual for a rather wealthy family to have several armoires, though most certainly not all of them were the high caliber and size of this fine example. It is also interesting to note that most French Provincial armoires were crafted of oak since it was a readily available resource. Walnut armoires such as this, of an exceptional size, were much less common and generally reserved for the very wealthiest families. Today, they are considered the finest examples of the period. As styles changed, the armoire evolved into a smaller, more reserved cupboard, making these massive creations all the more important.
Dimensions:
h - 109.75"
w - 69.5"
d - 28.5"
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