Antique Cabinets - Item 1033
Gothic Dressoir Cabinet

Item 1033 Gothic Dressoir Cabinet Dimensions Width 34, Height 53, Depth 19½ (in inches) Wood Solid oak Country France Date Circa 1880 Description This antique dressoir or cabinet with a door in the top, a central drawer and an open bottom section (a “pot board”) was a common design in France of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, particularly the overall hexagonal shape.  Dating from the 19th century and most likely made in northeastern France, this cabinet reflects the revival of interest in the stylistic elements of the 16th century such as bas relief medallions with heads carved in profile.  The rendering of the heads, in what could be described as almost a caricature, has its origins in Italian coins where individuals were portrayed in profile and sporting “triumphal hats” or helmets.    Particularly interesting are the  fantastic creatures such as dragons, coiled like clenched fists below the drawer, and the griffin poised just below the metal closure – as if warding off interlopers.  At one time it had an additional piece resting on the top, but this has been lost to history.  For another item with Renaissance style portraits, see cabinet 1016.  Despite the Renaissance elements just mentioned, the piece remains rooted firmly in the Gothic style through its reliance on such typical elements as the linen-fold panels comprising the back of the potboard and tracery Such pieces were typically commissioned in 19th century France by people who were passionate about furniture of Gothic and Renaissance times (called haute époque) and who wanted to live with the beauty of such pieces without having to cope with the fragility and other challenges presented by centuries-old originals.  Reference Boccador, Jacqueline, Le Mobilier Français du Moyen Age à la Renaissance, Editions d’Art Monelle Hayot (Saint-Just-en-Chaussée, 1988); Viollet-le-Duc, Eugène, Le Mobilier Médiéval (Georges Bernage, editor) (Editions Heimdal, 2003) Uses While traditionally used in a dining room, the cabinet is also suitable for a foyer, den or library and will complement other Gothic Revival furnishings.