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Decorative 18th Century French Oak Buffet Deux Corps, of Small Proportions

Decorative 18th Century French Oak Buffet Deux Corps, of Small Proportions

This is French with strong English Hepplewhite influences.

Over the years I’ve sold many, usually slight or profusely carved.

This example has elegant modern like lines, beautifully worn and patinated. All original brass-work.

The standout piece in a modern apartment living room, entrance or hallway. Stunning lines indeed.

Beside 18th century English country Hepplewhite dining chairs. Notice the influence in style.

The 1940s Paris newspapers stuck to the backboards, adds yet another interesting touch to this rare 18th Century French Oak Buffet Deux Corps, of Small Proportions

This is French with strong English Hepplewhite influences.
Such an interesting piece.

As I said, usually carved, also usually much larger proportions.

H.230cm W.120cm D.50cm

Included on my Retirement SALE,
$16,500 reduced to $8,250

 

Late Tudor / early Renaissance carved oak panels (circa 1520–1560), presented within a later Arts & Crafts period outer frame (late 19th / early 20th century).

Late Tudor / early Renaissance carved oak panels (circa 1520–1560), presented within a later Arts & Crafts period outer frame (late 19th / early 20th century).

This is a classic composite, or “married,” construction of the kind long recognised in the trade: a later carcass carefully built to showcase much earlier salvaged fragments. The front facade consists of highly distinctive Tudor-period carved oak panels that capture the transitional phase between Late Gothic and Early Renaissance design in England.
The architectural arrangement of the facade is divided into vertical framed panels that derive directly from traditional medieval joinery. Arcaded structures contain primitive figures, characteristic of late medieval and Henry VIII-period carving, flanking a central panel of stylised, interwoven geometric motif. The three principal panels display a deeply incised geometric design, with trees or vines appearing on the side panels. Figures stand beneath carved archways in a manner strongly influenced by continental Renaissance designs that reached England and Flanders in the early sixteenth century, a style often described as “Romayne” or architectural caryatid carving.
These panels may originally have formed part of a fifteenth- or early sixteenth-century marriage chest (cassone), or been taken from Tudor oak wainscoting or dismantled bed heads in manor houses. Their surface shows severe age-related degradation, chipping and deep vertical checking on the lower sections, creating a heavily eroded, dry texture that contrasts markedly with the smoother structural frame surrounding them. Historic borer trails are present, as is typical of early oak. These are long extinct, with stable oxidisation and no evidence of active infestation.
The outer frame (stiles, rails and top lid) is a reconstruction of the Arts & Crafts period, when craftsmen held a particular reverence for medieval and Renaissance joinery and routinely salvaged original fragments from decaying estates to create new, functional pieces.
Two conservation options are under consideration: careful removal of the Tudor panels for independent conservation, sealing, wax finishing and reverse-framing on an antique velvet-covered timber panel (in the manner of the sixteenth-century Flemish oak panel of a rising angel previously offered), or retention of the complete composite structure with gentle restoration of the front panels and wax finishing of the surrounding coffer. Both approaches respect the historical integrity of these early carvings.
A rare and evocative survival of the transitional Tudor period, offered with complete transparency as a composite construction of genuine early panels within a later frame.

Panel
42 x 95cm

Coffer
H.66
W.120cm D.36cm

Call or text me for further details or to arrange a viewing.

First half 19th century French oak farmhouse table or desk of diminutive proportions.

First half 19th century French oak farmhouse table or desk of diminutive proportions.

The well patinated three plank top, hand made nailed to the plain narrow skirts. Resting on square tapered legs, one having an unusual lost knot to the top, a nice conversation piece between oak lovers.

The narrow skirt matched with the lower set of four early English oak dining chairs, is a great match, as makes this comfortable seating.

Good overall colour and patination. see reel here

France 1800 – 1850

69 x 138 x 64

See below the top, the beautifully blended natural oxidisation of the planks and inner skirts, the thickness of the skirts and the huge knot missing from the grain flow of one.
These unique characteristics are generally never seen, not even by most dealers, as it’s a restorer that gets to examine every nook and cranny, having the immense pleasure of discovery!

I say once again, you’ll never find this in perfect, polished town pieces, from any period.
This is why I adore English and European country furniture.

Perfect for creating a stylish kitchen/dining in a smallish space.

This post also featuring a set of four early 18th century English oak dining chairs. I’ll create another post for them.

First half 19th century French fruitwood farmhouse table/desk.

First half 19th century French fruitwood farmhouse table/desk.

Enjoyed my linguini bolognaise from @mariaspasta while photographing today.

Also reading up on 18th century Georgian wine tables, seeing a few similarities to many I’ve sold over the decades.

The well patinated faded three plank top, above a plain skirt, with chestnut lined cutlery drawer to one end, with the original shield shaped escutcheon, originally had a lock, unusual for a farmhouse table, so may have been made as a desk.

Resting on square tapered legs.

76 x 145 x 67

see reel here

Purchased in Normandy over a decade ago, finally restored. I tend to live in “Country Time”

A delightful 19th century European figured walnut entrance, hall, side, console table, of narrow proportions.

A delightful 19th century European figured walnut entrance, hall, side, console table, of narrow proportions.

instagram reel

Serpentine shaped moulded marble top, above a matching shaped carved and moulded front skirt, opening to reveal an unexpected narrow drawer.


The stylish lines flowing into acanthus leaf carved knees and over expressed cabriole legs, terminating on a scrolled foot.
The beautifully veneered rear plain rectangular legs, on well shaped moulded feet.

Fantastic overall well faded original polished and waxed patina.
Could I have raved anymore? What a piece!

1850 – 1880

H.79cm W.110cm D.40cm

The joys of being an “aesthete”

The joys of being an “aesthete”

Paying attention to the overall beauty of the rare pieces I’ve sold is one of my more enjoyable pastimes. Finding that unseen knot to the grain of one of the solid oak rear planks, or to the inside of a square tapered leg of a farmhouse table (upcoming post),
Or the small section of sap-wood on the oak dresser base, riddled with long gone borer holes, always to me a great find. These little unseen touches to a piece really excite me.
I do find it a little sad that probably nobody else has ever noticed and missed out on immense pleasure I get from discovering these unique touches.

Yet another wonderful thing of dealing in country furniture, that unlike “town” pieces, a lot more perfect and certainly no place for a huge knot or a fallen knot making the timber imperfect and therefore unusable, so would be cut up to be used as corner blocks. With country or provincial pieces, these imperfections were overlooked, usually as good timber’s were scarce and they used whatever they had.
I’m sort of writing ahead for the upcoming story, but this also relates to this piece.

The 1940s Paris newspapers stuck to the backboards, adds yet another interesting touch to this rare 18th Century French Oak Buffet Deux Corps, of Small Proportions

This is French with strong English Hepplewhite influences. ref to my website, Furniture, French, Buffets.
Such an interesting piece.

Included on my Retirement SALE,
$16,500 reduced to $8,250

Rare 19th century French solid kingwood 'whatnot'

Rare 19th century French solid kingwood ‘whatnot’

This whatnot is certainly a work of cabinetmaker, leader of Japonism, Gabriel Viardot (1830-1904).

It is surmounted by a varnished polished bronze dragon that is frequently found in the cabinetmaker’s production.

The lower part also has shelves whose upright is decorated with a wrapped dragon in varnished polished bronze.

H.98cm. W.69cm. D.40cm

$5,500 reduced to $2,750

19th century French cherrywood Louis XV 'style' dining table of unusually large proportions.

19th century French cherrywood Louis XV ‘style’ dining table of unusually large proportions.

The wide four plank book-matched figured cherry wood top, above a serpentine shaped moulded skirt, resting on long stylish cabriole legs.
Arrived to storeroom today. Needs a little touching out of minor damages and a good overall wax.
20th Century
H.76 W.335 D.113cm
14 seater. 6 well sized chairs to each side.
About as deep as I’d go on a dining table. Any larger and you’re too far away from each other.

Early 19th century French cherry wood farmhouse table. AA2398

Early 19th century French cherry wood farmhouse table. AA2398

The well patinated four plank cleated top, above a plain skirt, resting on square tapered legs.
Very good overall fade.
Note: the top has a great depth

H.77cm
W.2m
D.87cm

Included in my retirement sale. Reduced by 50%
$11,500 reduced to $5,750
Couldn’t make a decent copy for that price!

A rare set of six 1920s revival dining chairs.

These chairs are around 100 years old. The 20s was a huge revival period.

They have Queen Anne rear shaped splats and shaped top rails 1705.
George I and George II cavletto style moulds 1714 – 1740
all blending so well.

A rare set of six 1920s revival dining chairs

A rare set of six 1920s revival dining chairs

These chairs are around 100 years old. The 20s was a huge revival period.

They have Queen Anne rear shaped splats and shaped top rails 1705.
George I and George II cavletto style moulds 1714 – 1740
all blending so well.

Would you believe I used bitumen to build this beautiful walnut/period oak colour.
A long, complicated, somewhat monotonous restoration job indeed!

Photographed by Russell Winnell.

Included in my retirement sale
All stock reduced by 50%

50% OFF - Rare, beautifully carved 19th century French oak standing church pew.

50% OFF – Rare, beautifully carved 19th century French oak standing church pew.

A Stylish unique piece I still have in stock and reduced by 50%.
$3,400 reduced to $1,700

Makes an interesting entrance piece, key or hall table.
To the top of a landing or as a piece of art in an open living family room.

Free local delivery.

Rare beautifully carved 19th century French oak standing church pew.

The unusual narrow dimensions are perfect as a narrow hallway or entrance piece.
Linen fold panels with fruits (pineapples and pomegranates) happy to be corrected..
above, the three large panels with grapes and vines, the central with bold flowers and leaves.
Scrolled hand rests to the ends, disguising the end joints.

The unusual narrow dimensions are perfect as a narrow hallway or entrance piece.
Linen fold panels with fruits (pineapples and pomegranates) happy to be corrected..
above, the three large panels with grapes and vines, the central with bold flowers and leaves.
Scrolled hand rests to the ends, disguising the end joints.

A most beautiful 19th century French green chinoiserie display cabinet of narrow proportions

A most beautiful 19th century French green chinoiserie display cabinet of narrow proportions

The rectangular moulded top, above two long hinged doors, opening to reveal a cord covered interior, with a small light above each shelf.

The doors having a double throw lock.

With narrow glassed viewing sides, resting on short turned tapered legs.

Classic chinoiserie design overall. Notice the designs flow between joins, incredibly stylish always.

Chinoiserie style started in the early 17th century throughout Europe. The word derives from “chinois” French for Chinese.

European designers imitated the fanciful decorative designs on Chinese silks, art, lacquerware and furnishings.

The style has never fallen from grace. The Queen Anne period in the early 18th century was one of the most chinoiserie desired periods. Over the past three and a half decades in business, I have sold dozens of chinoiserie decorated pieces, from silk and rice paper art, to folding lacquered screens (two over the past year) many hanging bow-shaped hanging corner cupboards, desks, chairs, Chinese export sewing tables (two in storage)

The thing about a beautiful decorative chinoiserie piece is, there is only ever room for the one piece in your room. That one piece sits there either demanding attention or quietly rests saying, look here I am, you can’t beat my style and colouring, so take a seat and enjoy me.

H.159cm

W.116cm

D.27cm

$14,500 reduced to $7,250

A rare 19th century French oak, pine and walnut table d’entrée.

A rare 19th century French oak, pine and walnut table d’entrée.

The narrow rectangular top, above a central carved rosette with the original steel oval ringed handle, flanked by deep upright carved flutes, then exceptionally turned lunettes, quite a feature.

With a scratch carved hanging Fleur de Lis and turned fluted uprights with a serpentine shaped panelled back-board, featuring a central moulded oak diamond, joined to a serpentine shaped base shelf, on regressed block feet.

 

H.90 W.67 D.34

 

Going through my stock I’m clearing at 50% reduction. I found this rare 19th century French table d’entrée – entrance table.

 

These pieces sell quickly as are a very hard find. Being so stylish and unique, yet small and narrow, so perfect for most entries, especially an apartment.

 

I sold two similar pieces in my showroom last year. This piece still needs some re gluing and a good clean, a few touch outs and a fresh wax finish. Will look as if never touched and well preserved when I’m finished.

 

This style of side table originated from a 16th/17th century English oak miniature livery cupboard. I sold a beauty to the western district around 25 years ago. I remember the incredible 19th century farmhouse it’s still residing in, along with some magnificent examples of rare museum quality 17th – 19th century English and European pieces.

I’ll create a post featuring some of my most prized pieces I’ve sold over the decades soon. Such incredible beauty to the eye✨

 

One of pair of late 17th Century oak side chairs, North West England.

C. 1700

 

A small last quarter 18th century English pewter charger.

Dated 1797.

Dia: 24cm

 

19th century English green majolica plate decorated with an embossed grape and vine leaf pattern.

 

19th century English pewter potty.

Used in displays for over 30 years.

H.11cm

W.29cm

 

Amber glass bull