Featuring two hunt trophies and detailed motifs inspired by nature, this oak buffet deux corps was hand-carved in France, circa 1870. Traces of the original finish are still visible, but the wood was previously bleached, giving it a warm, golden brown tone. The top body has two doors set with antique (and original) glass, allowing the cabinet to function as a lovely bibliotheque de chasse (“hunting library”) as well.
Both pieces of glass are surrounded by a crenelated border, which can also be seen on the three full-length shelves behind the doors. Foliate spandrels fill the top corners of the rectangular doors, just inside of thick quarter-round molding adorned with foliage. The center mullion has been embellished with lanceolate leaves, while a pilaster on the outside of each door has mid-relief carvings of a fruited vine emanating from a gadrooned leaf over an S-scroll. Several different motifs, including more foliage and crenelation and egg and dart, can be seen on the robust crown, just above a lintel festooned with a fruit margent between two vertically orientated rosettes.
A thick double quarter-round molding with a middle chamfer provides a stable base for the upper body, which rests on top of the lower section. The top edge is surrounded by repeating niches infilled with foliage, above two belt drawers with twisted branch pulls and three rosettes. Most of the other carvings on the bottom section imitate elements on the top body, however, the two lower doors do not have glass, and are each carved with hunt trophies. The left door has several different fish, tied with a crinkled ribbon over husks, while the right door features birds over a foliate wreath. Both trophies are set inside a rectangular molding with canted corners. Four block feet offer support to the stunning cabinet with the front two feet having decorative half-bun fronts. Our bleached oak deux corps or bibliotheque would be a special addition to a library, game room, or living room.
CONDITION: Very good antique condition with minor age separations, specifically to the crown. Very light nicks and rubs with some traces of old woodworm. Very well done old restoration work. The wood was stripped more recently, leaving slight traces of the original finish.
