18th Century French Corner Cabinet with Musical Trophy Decor, Provence, France

During the mid-18th century, women’s fashion became grandiose, with towering wigs and exotic headwear becoming the norm for the bourgeoisie. This necessitated a need for tall and nar...

This grand and distinctive piece of furniture from Northern Brittany is known as a “buffet malouin” and was created in the late 17th century. These types of cabinets were created for important homes in the historic port city of Saint-Malo. The design, with large octagonal molded panels, double colonettes, and finely cut brass fittings, is unique to other French furniture of the period. The design was directly influenced by the Dutch mariner carpenters living in Saint-Malo at the time (the Dutch beeldenkast cabinet shows similarities) The large four-door cabinet was carved in oak, as was most of the other “malouin” furniture pieces. It is an imposing and impressive piece, standing over 7 feet tall and nearly 7 feet wide. The front of the piece has twisted, double colonettes, multi-profiled cushion-shaped octagonal panels, and finely cut brass key hole escutcheons, drawer pulls, and lozenge plates. There are 3 drawers, 2 of which are full sized, with a smaller drawer in the center. 3 large bun feet along the front hold up the entire piece, while 2 block feet support the rear. Each door has its own functioning key and lock, with a yet another key for the center drawer. Door and drawer panels are solid and impressive old pieces of oak, which still open and close with ease, indicating the quality of construction and great care that this piece has received over the centuries. The “meuble malouin” in the form of a large 4 door buffet is not often easily found. Research shows photos of several models in various states that have come to surface, but they were not nearly pervasive as French case...

Bowfront corner cabinet with original rouge marble top. Carved frieze, apron and feet. Painted interior with fabric. Lock and key.

A late 18th-century French provincial confiturier, or petit buffet, made in walnut with oak as a secondary wood and retaining its old iron hardware. With its modest Louis XV silhouette, scalloped apron and deeply aged surface, it has the quiet strength and honesty of a genuine rural piece. Design The cabinet has a single drawer above a panelled cupboard door, standing on gently shaped feet above a scalloped apron. The façade is simple and well proportioned: a subtly moulded drawer front, a panelled door and old wrought iron escutcheons that underline the rustic character. The top is made from wide old boards and shows the honest wear and movement one hopes to find in an early provincial piece. Behind the door is a plain interior with a shelf, exactly as expected in an 18th-century household cabinet made for daily use. The rear construction, secondary woods, hand-worked surfaces and old interior drawer lock all support the impression of a largely original piece. Condition Good antique condition with substantial age and wear consistent with use and period: old worm traces in places, shrinkage, minor losses, surface wear, oxidation to the iron hardware and unevenness typical of early provincial furniture. The door closes, though it needs to be lifted slightly to fall neatly into place because of wear in the old hinges. As with most provincial furniture of this age, minor historical repairs and restorations should be expected. Please see the photos for details. Dimensions: height 106 cm, width 78 cm, depth 60 cm. In the interior Despite its modest size, the cabinet has a strong decorative presence. Use it in a kitchen for tableware or preserves, in a hallway, as a bedside cabinet in a country bedroom, or in a living room as a small sideboard for a lamp and a few books. It is at home in a French country or farmhouse interior, and it looks just as good in a wabi-sabi or minimalist room, where its dark, worn surface becomes a focal point against plaster walls and linen. Designers such as Axel Vervoordt have long shown how well early provincial furniture works in a calm, contemporary setting. Keywords: French confiturier, petit buffet, Louis XV provincial cabinet, antique walnut cabinet, French country cupboard, 18th century French furniture, rustic French furniture, provincial side cabinet, wabi-sabi cabinet, antique jam cupboard...