Le Louvre French Antiques Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Colmar, where this handsome buffet deux corps was crafted, is an affluent commune in the Alsace region of France, a mere 15 miles from the German border. Because of this proximity, the hand-carved oak cabinet features some elements that were inspired by German woodworkers of the early 1700’s. A robust lower body, with a thick molding along the apron, is supported by four onion feet, often found on large German case pieces...

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...

Hand-carved in Laval, France, circa 1730, this oak buffet deux corps has been bleached, allowing the motifs of the Louis XV cabinet to gain promi...

Chests are one of the oldest pieces of furniture, as ancient Egyptians first used them around 3000 BC. During the early Renaissance, taller chests, such as this French oak coffre chest...

The straight grain and rich color of the cherry tree made it a desirable wood for constructing luxury furniture during the 18th century. One beautiful example is our period Louis XIV commode, which was hand-carved in France in the early 1700’s. Augmenting the lovely reddish-brown color of the commode is an arbalete top that slightly hangs over the three stacked drawers below. Each drawer has three bronze foliate fittings set inside geometric panels with recessed molding (two pierced foliate swag pulls flanking a small keyplate surrounded by a parted leaf). There is a unique, shallow pullout drawer with two concentric circle pulls built into the molded frieze. This drawer was most likely used to store jewelry and other small valuables. Canted corners can be seen along the front of the shaped top, with elongated asymmetrical panels beneath that flank the tiers of drawers...

Walnut and burled walnut. In 1700s France, the commode was considered the finest piece of furniture in the chateau. It was also placed in the most important areas so it could be seen. This particular commode from Bourgogne or Vallee du Rhone area, is very rare in its shape and storage area. The shaped sides are small cabinets with one shaped shelf each. Each door opens to the back so that the contents are kept private from any guests. The 'galbee' front features three full drawers with brass hardware. The veneered wooden insets on the drawers and sides are all burled walnut wood. All this rests upon four outward shaped feet. There are three keys for opening the side cabinets and front drawers. This rare and large French commode...

Hand-carved in France, circa 1700, this exceptional oak buffet deux corps offers ample storage space with eight doors, two drawers, and a pull-ou...

Typical of Ile-de-France furniture from the early 1700’s, this walnut armoire has unadorned panels, allowing the beautiful, curved moldings to take prominence. The walnut wood has be...

This is a wonderful antique French commode with a parcel paint finish from Provence, dating to the end of the 1800s. It has a rectangular conforming marble top and a restrained shape...

A very unusual parquet armoire coming directly from a home in Brittany. An old ebenist of the area from which this armoire originates is quite confiden...

Trunks are one of the oldest types of furniture in existence today. They date back many centuries and come in various shapes and styles. This leather and brass trunk, known as a mall...

This grande French commode with beautiful veneered panels and numerous bronze ormolu mounts dates to the beginning of the 20th century. The commode is in the Louis XV style which fir...

From the Regence period, this oak armoire was hand carved in France, circa 1720. Regence was the period of French history when the nation was governed by Philippe d’Orléans while the...

From Provence, France, this beautiful walnut panetiere was hand-carved in the 1700’s. Panetieres were usually hung on walls and functioned as a decorative way keep bread safe...

This unusual Baroque style console dates to the 19th century (see condition report) and has a fabulous overall shape. Originally from Germany, it was said to have come out of a theat...

This fabulous, period Louis XIV (The Sun King) buffet has been made from European oak and stripped at some point in its history. During Louis XIV’s reign (1643-1715), furniture maker...

From the 1700s, this unusual French hunt buffet has expertly carved paneled doors portraying a game bird and a fish. The game bird is hanging from its feet with knotted ribbons, whil...

This fabulous parcel paint bibliotheque or buffet a deux corps from Southwest France was created in the 19th Century, largely with 17th Century elements. The large variety motifs whi...

This is an unusually long Gothic style trunk from France, measuring nearly 6.5 feet long. It is carved from thick oak planks, and it dates to circa 1800. The trunk has well carved characteristic Gothic ornamentation on all of the front panels, while the rest of the piece remains simple, except a small molding to the lid. The big oak panels are joined by dowel reinforced mortise and tenon construction. The long single plank lid is attached by iron hinges and opens to reveal a large rectangular space which reveals how all the boards were assembled. There is also a latch and keyhole at the center. This rare trunk would be perfect at the foot of a king size bed, an accent piece under a tall tapestry...