M. Markley Antiques

Antique Cabinets - Item 4107
Gothic Buffet Cabinet

(scroll down for additional photos)
 

Item 4107	Gothic Buffet Cabinet with Fenestrage or Tracery
Dimensions	Width 55¼; Height 90¾; Depth 22½   (in inches)
Wood	Solid walnut
Country	France
Date	Circa 1890
Price	$6,995
Description	This solid walnut, Gothic style buffet cabinet is loaded with carved details that would excite any Gothic-lover as well as holding all of the table settings and linens. The base of the cabinet has two doors and two drawers. The face of the drawers is the familiar linen-fold design, and they have solid brass, original handles that are beautifully detailed. The two doors have Gothic arched fenestage on their fronts, that recall the windows of France's magnificent Gothic cathedrals. There is a single shelf accessed behind the doors that runs the width of the cabinet. The doors are framed by two twisted and fluted columns in the gothic manner, that support the top as well. Above the base's top, is the intermediate, supporting section. Again there are two twisted and fluted columns, that this time have floral capitals. In the center under the top is a carved acanthus leaf motif, with stylized acanthus leaves that become downward, pointing Gothic arches. The top part of the cabinet has a pair of doors that mimics the lower pair, except that the right-hand door has a center linen-fold panel with a gothic arch, that makes it about 12" wider than the left-hand one. Just below the architectural crown moulding at the top, is another acanthus leaf motif comprising a frieze the width of the top. What attracted us to this cabinet was not only the intricacy and refinement of the hand-carved elements but the rich, dark patina of the walnut. This cabinet is part of a suite including a small dining table and six chairs, all from Mercier Frères, a Paris cabinetmaker and design atelier whose virtuosity and craftsmanship have survived in this outstanding buffet. Mercier Frères was founded in 1867, and closed its doors in 1967. They produced furniture for the Spanish crown and the Persian royal family among many distinguished clients. Their nameplate, is attached to the inside of the top, right-hand door of this cabinet.
Reference	Boccador, Jacqueline, Le Mobilier Français du Moyen Age à la Renaissance, Editions d'Art Monelle Hayot (Saint-Just-en-Chaussée, 1988); Thirion, Jacques, Le Mobilier du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance en France (Editions Faton, Dijon, 1998); Viollet-le-Duc, Eugène, Le Mobilier Médiéval (Georges Bernage, editor) (Editions Heimdal, 2003)
Uses	This buffet cabinet is a rare and outstanding example of the best in French Gothic Revival furnishings and would command attention in a dining room or, as in the current trend, in an executive office as a combination credenza and bookcase.