This large and elegant French bibliotheque is made of walnut wood and dates to the latter half of the 1800’s.  It recently came from a beautiful home in the Dordogne region of Southwestern France, where it was well kept for many years.  The overall form is rectilinear and restrained, with vertical fluting, and stepped in and stepped out moldings.  The decorative highlights of the piece are the two beautifully carved bas relief portrait medallions on the exterior doors.  Each bust, in the style of Roman antiquity, is different: they face each other, both crowned with the Louis XVI crinkled knot.  Beneath each portrait, is a laurel leaf and oak leaf wreath with acorns which represents victory, honor, and civic duty.  The quality and finesse of the carvings is top notch.  Notice how the horizontal moldings at the level of the portraits terminate into the vertical moldings of the doors: the square sections seamlessly turn into curving leaves.

The upper part of the bookcase is made up of a central glass door, while the side compartments have chicken wire paneling.  Each part has half shelves making it possible to transform the library into a showcase to add objects between the books. The lower part is made up of three drawers and four solid doors opening onto shelving and storage. The piece comes completely apart, yet it is very solid.  2 keys operate all the locks.

CONDITION: Very good antique condition with minor wear and minor chip to upper left crown. Piece dismantles completely. Left and right glass panels replaced with antiqued chicken wire from France, which was commonly used in period bookcases.