This charming antique buffet is a wonderful example of French regional furniture making in the 18th century. Known as an enfilade because of it’s multiple doors, these types of buffets were used in dining rooms in French country homes for hundreds of years. The top would be used for displaying and presenting the food or game before a meal, while the doors below opened for ample storage for things such as faience servings pieces, silverware, and more.
The enfilade is constructed of a mixture of wood types, with French walnut being the wood of choice for the most visible areas : the four front doors. Of course these doors were also carved in rich detail, featuring countless details and motifs. Each door has floral spandrels surrounded by beading. The two middle doors are symmetrical, with elegantly carved drapery swags and crinkled ribbons, surrounded by repeating raised moldings. The exterior doors or outer doors are carved with floral and foliate margent with gently rising curved moldings toward the center. Spiral fluting surrounds all the doors.
Above the doors are 4 drawers with oval steel pulls and escutcheon plates. The thick top of the buffet has a quarter round molding and shows large old iron nail heads, affixing it to the body below. The entire piece rests on 8 feet, with the exterior legs carved in the Louis XV style. The back legs are blocked, while the two center front feet are shaped. The apron is also heavily worked, with an overall shaped design, drapery swag motifs, and a central basket of flowers.
The piece has 3 functional locks, each with it’s own key (drawer keys missing).
Today, this antique French enfilade or buffet, measuring just over 8 1/2 feet long will be an asset to any dining room or living area. It is a beautifully carved piece of regional furniture from 18th century France, and is ready to be used as a practical and highly decorative antique.
CONDITION: Good antique condition with old repairs and fills. Some old wood worm damage. 3 working locks for the doors, while drawer keys are missing. Doors are walnut, while other areas were done in oak or fruitwood. Wear commensurate with age and use.
