Items Similar to Large French Breton lit-clos Cabinet from 1817
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Large French Breton lit-clos Cabinet from 1817
$14,859.26
£11,059.67
€12,500
CA$20,608.30
A$22,186.71
CHF 11,881.42
MX$267,341.99
NOK 149,910.55
SEK 137,192.37
DKK 95,273.10
About the Item
A large Breton cabinet, former ‘lit-clos’. Dated 1817, rebuilt at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century. Made from solid oak.
This extraordinary piece of furniture was originally a Breton lit-clos - a traditional built-in country house bed (alcove furniture). The ‘closed bed’ was the main piece of furniture in times (ca. 17th-19th century) when a room was both kitchen, living room and bedroom. Usually standing on a raised platform, it offered a combination of sleeping space and useful storage space for the household.
Hard to imagine from today's perspective, this compact piece of furniture was often a sleeping place for several people, who were generally not only smaller at the time, but also slept in a half-sitting position. As the pride and joy of its owners and a symbol of wealth, the furniture was lavishly carved and decorated with predominantly folk-art motifs.
In the course of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, living conditions changed even in the traditional regions of Brittany, so that many lit-clos were dismantled or converted into practical cupboards, in particular to preserve the valuable representative fronts.
This piece here is evidence of precisely this development, the original date of which can be determined from the date in the centre of the cornice as 1817. Remodelling in the late 19th century/early 20th century.
A two-part piece of furniture of architectural design on a rectangular base with a richly decorated, ornamentally, florally and figuratively carved front.
The lower section is made in a gallery construction with moulded sides, a profiled plinth, a large compartment open on three sides with a small gallery in front of the cassette back, wide fluted pilaster strips and 3 drawers.
The closed upper section has 2 sliding doors and one hinged door on each side, with small ‘window openings’ with rosettes and balustrades made of spindle mouldings breaking through the solid panels.
The entire front is decorated with small inserted brass nails, a beautiful contrast to the dark wood, and carved in typical folk-art style. While 3 primitive chicken depictions adorn the moulded drawer fronts, the entire upper front area is covered with tendrils, leaves and ornaments. The curved coffered panels show depictions of Breton women in traditional costume and French hussars.
The upper end is formed by the high cornice with an overlying wreath, in which birds and vines with grapes are depicted.
Behind the doors, the cabinet was fitted with practical height-adjustable shelves on support rails as part of the remodelling.
Dimensions
Height: 105 cm (base) or 256 cm (total) / 41.33 inch (base) or 100.78 inch (total).
Width: 204 cm / 80.31 inch.
Depth: 56 cm or 60 cm / 22.04 inch or 23.62 inch.
Internal dimensions behind the sliding door: 98 cm (38.58 inch) wide x 46 cm (18.11 inch) deep
Internal dimensions behind the hinged doors: 45 cm (17.71 inch) wide x 38 cm (14.96 inch) deep
Internal dimensions of the drawers: 17 cm (6.69 inch) high, 41 cm (16.14 inch) wide, 44 cm (17.32 inch) deep
Shelf in the base: 19 cm (7.48 inch) high x 19 cm (7.48 inch) deep
An impressive example of traditional Breton furniture art from the early 19th century that epitomises history, craftsmanship and regional identity.
Today, placed in a kitchen, dining room or restaurant, this unique piece is both practical and of great decorative value. An exceptional piece of furniture for storing glasses, crockery, table linen, wine bottles and spirits.
Very good authentic condition with stable construction, beautiful original patina and slight signs of age-related wear.
The furniture can be transported in 2 parts (lower part, upper part) plus shelves.
Additional photos available! Please just send a message.
- Dimensions:Height: 100.79 in (256 cm)Width: 80.32 in (204 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Style:French Provincial (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1817
- Condition:Additions or alterations made to the original: The piece of furniture was converted from its original function as a bed into a storage cupboard in the late 19th century or early 20th century, and the shelves are custom-made and were added at a later date. Wear consistent with age and use. Very good authentic condition with stable construction, beautiful original patina and slight signs of age-related wear. Cleaned and newly sealed inside and wax polished outside.
- Seller Location:Dusseldorf, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3999145396332
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1975
1stDibs seller since 2018
81 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 11 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Dusseldorf, Germany
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllLarge 19th Century French Buffet Cabinet or Cupboard
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A large 19th century French cabinet or buffet à deux corps made of solid oak wood.
The oak body stands on 6 feet and is panelled on the sides, consisting of a lower and upper cabin...
Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Cabinets
Materials
Oak
18th Century French Provincial Oak Cupboard or Cabinet
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A French provincial Louis XV sideboard from the 18th century. Made of solid oak wood with waxed surface.
Two-door side-cassetted corpus with rounded edges and slightly overhanging...
Category
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Cabinets
Materials
Iron
18th Century German Stripped Oak Baroque Display Cabinet
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
German provincial Baroque display cabinet or buffet. West German, 2nd half of the 18th century. Solidly made of oak and partially carved.
Th...
Category
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Oak
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Made of Pine
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A 19th Century French bookcase in Renaissance style, made of solid pine.
Consists of an upper and a lower part with a total of 4 doors.
Facade-like front. Pilaster strips with flut...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcases
Materials
Fir, Pine
Late 18th Century German Monastery Cabinet Made of Oak
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Antique cabinet or cupboard from a German monastery. Made of solid oak. Mostly from the late 18th century.
Body with beveled corners and protruding header. Cassettes on the side. ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Baroque Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Tall 19th Century Neoclassical Palisander Cabinet
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Probably the tallest cabinet on the market.
A breathtaking neoclassical palisander cabinet from the 19th century. Presumably of French origin.
Solid rosewood and veneered on oak.
...
Category
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Palisander
You May Also Like
19th Century French Lit Clos Breton Cupboard
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A 19th century very decorative cupboard made from the front of a closed bed in solid poplar. The decoration, brass studs and carvings are typical for the re...
Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Cupboards
Materials
Poplar
18th Century Country French Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
A French Provincial cabinet of cupboards and drawers. Doors decorated with floral urns. Bead design around doors and drawers. Brass hardware,...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French French Provincial Cabinets
Materials
Oak
19th C. Antique Fine Breton Display, Spindle, Foliate, Shelves, Sideboard
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning Antique Sideboard, Fine Breton Display, Spindle, Foliate, Shelves, 19th Century, 1800's, 19th Century!
This exquisite antique side...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Other Sideboards
Materials
Wood
Antique French Breton Armoire Wardrobe Linen Cabinet Barley Twist Chestnut 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautifully Carved Antique French Chestnut Breton Double Door Bookcase, Armoire Bonnetiere, Linen Cabinet Barley Twist with Drawer~~c. 1890s
Highly requested classic French...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Chestnut
17th Century Breton Wardrobe or Cupboard in Oak Turning in Boxwood
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A fine wardrobe or cupboardof of the 17th century in oak and turning in boxwood other times alcove bed transformed into a wardrobe or cupboard probably in the 19th century
The int...
Category
Antique 17th Century French Louis XIV Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Oak
Antique French Miniature Oak Brittany Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming antique French miniature oak Brittany cabinet with richly hand-carved details.
Brittany, France
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Cabinets
Materials
Oak
More Ways To Browse
Antique Lit
Antique Alcove
19th Century French Carved Bed
Used Crockery
17th Century Oak Side Table
Antique Table Linen
End Table With Sliding Shelf
Antique Oak Table With 2 Leaves
Bird In The Hand Compact
The Hussar
Breton Cabinet
Folk Art Chicken
Alcove Bed
Antique Alcove Bed
Lit Clos
Pillar Cabinet
Radio Cabinet
Vintage Bathroom Storage