Rococo Carved Beech Breakfront Vitrine - 10 words
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Breakfront - A design generally found in larger pieces of furniture, such as bookcases, wardrobes and some sideboards. The line of the front is interrupted by the middle section standing out from each end. In a reverse breakfront, the centre section is recessed behind each end. Breakfronted pieces are usually made in three sections the middle and the two wings which are held together by the cornice and pediment, and the plinth on which it stands. The sensible buyer should show caution before buying breakfront pieces, especially bookcases, which are highly desirable and expensive. Always check that the timber, colour, patination, backboards, decoration and thickness of the wood are same in each section.
- Beech - Beech, a pale coloured timber, is native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America and classified as a hardwood, although comparitively "soft" when compared with oak or ash. It has long been popular with with country craftsmen, particulary chair makers, as unlike ash it is suitable for turning.
- Rococo - A stylistic development covering the period from about 1730 to 1770, during the reign of Louis XV in France. The rococo style falls between the rather overbearing manner of the Baroque and the formal elegance of Neoclassicism. The Rococo style reached its full maturity in France, though many of its features were used by English furniture makers. The style is marked by asymmetrical forms, especially pierced and intricate scroll work as in mirror frames, chair backs etc., and the use of shells and floral motifs. The term derives from the French 'rocaille', meaning rock work, as in gardens and fountains. There was a major Rococo revival in the mid-19th century and indeed much of what is now considered to be typically Victorian furniture is influenced by the Rococo. It is essentially feminine in feeling, and for this reason, perhaps, was regarded as rather frivolous by its successors.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A 20th century French Kingwood large vitrine, serpentine form, the serpentine glazed panelled front door with painted lower panel of a courting couple, glazed corners, serpentine framed side panels, fancy gilt metal mounts, three shelf interior. 108 x 50 x
A 19th century French kingwood display vitrine, the serpentine single glazed door flanking the bow glazed side panels, all with marquetry inlay and decorative ormolu mounts, raised on short scroll legs. 80 cm x 46 cm x 169 cm
A Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted serpentine kingwood vitrine, 19th century, 190 cm high, 81 cm wide, 42 cm deep
A French Louis XV style oak display cabinet, with a single door, part panelled, part glazed, and framed with scrolls and a foliate crest, the interior with two glass shelves and cupboard, a serpentine apron and shaped foliate faux legs descending to scroll