Featured Please help identify this antique family piece.

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by Shawndhrt, Oct 28, 2017.

  1. Shawndhrt

    Shawndhrt New Member

    This piece looks very old and is all hand carved. Thank you.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

  3. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    European furniture is not my forte' but would think sometime the last quarter of the 19th century. Wood is walnut. Any family provenance?
     
  4. Rhondajean

    Rhondajean New Member

    I've seen onethat was similar which was said to be European 15-16th century. There was some question as to whether it was a linen closet (linen fold I think it was referred to) or more of an armoire. I don't have enough expertise by any stretch to help more than that. Perhaps google could help with more. It's beautiful, and I only recall this little bit of info because the one I saw was, as well. I really wished I could have afforded it at the time. Best of luck!
     
  5. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    Wife would say to me “yes that thing is YOU but it better never come in my house.”

    I’ve seen similar that came from Hungary.

    I want it; if you decide to sell it pls let me know. Don’t let anyone do any work on it, is in wonderful original condition now.

    I must have it!
     
  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Welcome to the forum Shawn. Please post you pictures full image, many people can't click on thumbnails.
    [​IMG]

    You didn't mention where your family is from. That would make it easier to get to the origin of this piece. Right now my guess is Mechelen in northern Belgium. It could be from neighbouring The Netherlands.
    It is a beautiful 'buffetkast'. 19th century, made in an earlier historic style.
    This one is on the Belgian equivalent of Craig's list:
     
  7. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Yep, i am goin with Any Jewelry on this one.
     
  8. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    It is nice... the style may not be very popular these days, but I like it.
     
  9. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! What are its dimensions????

    And a little help if you need it getting FULL SIZE IMAGES up, from a computer:

    zTutorialForIMAGES2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2017
    Christmasjoy and Any Jewelry like this.
  10. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Could we have some photos with outer doors and any inner doors/drawers open?

    I'm looking at it from my little niche, so would be interested in a closeup of the panel that has a female with what looks like a large feline, across from the male on a dolphin. The large panels look to me like allegorical figures for Peace & War. Any reason to think it might be French?
     
    yourturntoloveit and judy like this.
  11. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Think our colleagues have nailed it & this is sort of a sideboard. The term I remember is clothes/linen press, before there were built in closets. They needed to be larger than this, so more like a chest of drawers or dresser.
     
  12. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Could be but, I think more likely Dutch or in the style of The Netherlands who were very influential in europe furniture wise during the 16th-17th century. Here is a period Dutch cupboard, late 16th century
    d1.jpg
    d2.jpg
     
  13. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    In addition to Marquetry which the dutch virtually invented, it's obvious these guys could CARVE up a storm!
     
  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    They were also the best ivory carvers at one time. They even rivalled the famous ivory carvers of Dieppe, France. And silver, don't get me started.;)
    We Dutch didn't do too badly when it came to creating beauty.:smuggrin:
     
  15. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    True but to me, as a not expert in european furniture, the OP cupboard seems reasonably similar in style to the period cupboard. The carved figures, fluted columns, etc. I could very well be wrong about this.
     
    Christmasjoy and judy like this.
  16. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The buffetkast is a later development from the 17th century 'kabinet' or 'kunstkast'.
    What was originally a front-opening chest, was placed on legs. First on a table-like structure, which was later incorporated in the kabinet. It had small drawers containing valuables, objets d'art and exotic curiosities, and secret compartments for documents:
    [​IMG]
    http://barokinvlaanderen.vlaamsekunstcollectie.be/nl/collectie/kunstkast

    [​IMG]
    http://www.kmkg-mrah.be/nl/gotiek-renaissance-barok

    In the 19th century they copied these kabinetten, but made it a sturdier kast, with a closed back.
    The 19th and 20th century Mechelen furniture style can be deceptive.
    The following file on the Mechelen carving and furniture tradition is in Dutch, but if you scroll down to page 15, you can see a picture of a Mechelen entry for the 1930 World Expo in Antwerp, Belgium. The stunning furniture was made by a firm called Fr. Horckmans:
    http://www.tento.be/sites/default/files/tijdschrift/pdf/OKV2000/Het Mechelse meubel 1500-2000.pdf
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2017
  17. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    I had been thinking some of the details reminded me of this, which is probably also Flemish.

    Genius_of_Silenus_1B.jpg
     
    Christmasjoy and James Conrad like this.
  18. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The cupboard James posted is Dutch, just like the famed ivory carvers.:)

    A beautiful piece, I would say either Dutch or Dieppe, France. I think it is the latter. Someone should save that child on the bottom, this scene is an accident waiting to happen.:eek:
     
  19. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Obviously these scenes of putti engaged in various activities could be produced in any ivory carving center, but they are particularly associated with the Belgian Duquesnoy & others of his time & place. Dieppe seems to have produced more religious figures & scenes, or pretty ladies.
    IvoryMaryMagdalen.JPG Ivory_maiden_1A.jpg

    The plaque is the accident happening:
    Dancing_Putti_2C2.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Christmasjoy and Any Jewelry like this.
  20. Shawndhrt

    Shawndhrt New Member

    Thank you for all the great info. I havnt been recieving any notifications that updates had been posted so my apologies for not responding sooner. Thank you again.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Please help
Forum Title Date
Furniture Help with ID and value please Feb 4, 2024
Furniture Please help me ID this antique cabinet buffet Feb 4, 2024
Furniture Help with refreshing/refurbing an old oak chest please Feb 1, 2024
Furniture Please Help Identify This Lamp Jan 20, 2024
Furniture Help with old chair please Aug 29, 2023

Share This Page