19th Century French Provincial Bleached Oak Wardrobe

Early 19th-century French provincial wardrobe or armoire. Crafted from solid oak with a beautiful bleached finish.

A fine example of traditional French provincial craftsmanship. Cabinets of this type were produced from the 18th century right through to the second half of the 19th century and were often included as part of a bride’s dowry, known as ‘wedding cabinets’.

An very tall moulded oak body in stud construction with coffered sides, featuring two large doors, each hung on three external iron hinges. Slightly rounded, fluted corners and an artfully carved curved plinth frame culminate in volute-shaped feet. The tall, rectangular doors are made in frame construction, each featuring two scroll-shaped panels and one flattened, transversely oval/medallion-shaped panel. The top is finished with a projecting, cove-moulded cornice.

The interior is very elaborately finished in softwood, featuring a clothes rail, eight shelves and a drawer that opens from the top via a small double door.

Dimensions

Height: 250 cm / 98.43 in.

Width: 145 cm (body) or 155 cm (including top moulding) / 57.09 in (body) or 61.02 in (including top moulding).

Depth: 55 cm (body) or 60 cm (including top moulding) / 21.65 in (body) or 23.62 in (including top moulding).

Shelf depth: 48.5 cm / 19.09 in.

Shelf compartment height: 28 cm / 11.02 in.

Internal dimensions: 199.5 cm x 59 cm each / 78.54 in x 23.23 in each.

In good, ready-for-everyday-use condition with slight age-related signs of wear, including old woodworm tunnels (not active!) and minor visible repairs. A piece is missing from the rear right-hand side of the headboard. The wood has been stripped of its dark surface finish and bleached, revealing the texture of the oak in a light colour and without any sealant. The interior fittings have been added.

The cupboard can be dismantled into several parts for transport (2 side panels, 2 doors, 2 back panels, 2 front crossbars, the cornice and the multi-part interior fittings) and reassembled using wooden mortise and tenon joints, small metal wedge joints and 4 screws.