19thC Norman Marriage armoire
Wedding cake pretty, this charming pieces dates from c.1840-60.
Commissioned to celebrate the marriage of (typically) a farmers
daughter it would have been carted to the wedding dinner for public
admiration. The wealthier her father, the more comprehensive the
carving. The detailing here is really charming with recognisable
species of flowers. On the upper traverse is a central posy of flowers
with foliate tracery and daisies. The doors are wonderful. The glass is
waney with age and topped by very three-dimensional wedding bouquets
comprising roses, marguerites and daisies. The central traverses have
wonderful moldings with more foliate tracery and central cartouches of
flower vases. Between the doors the central closure strip is decorated
with stylised laurel leaf with bud garland sculpting. The bottom
traverse is typically Louis XV in shape with fluting and a central
cartouche of stylised acanthus leaves forming a floral boss. The
result is pretty perfect. Some are barely decorated, some have just too
much decoration forced upon them. This is lovely, detailed and
charming. The paintwork is typically french grey with whitened
highlighting. The piece is relatively slender (bookcase width) and
fortunately not too large for any reception or bedroom. I regard it as
more folksy than formal and about as romantic as they come.
Happy Valentines' darling...!