Important Louisiana Faux Bois Cypress Armoire

Important Louisiana Faux Bois Cypress Armoire

ca. 1815-1830, the projecting cove-molded cornice over a pair of tripartite doors, each section with raised diamond-point panels, over a scalloped apron, raised on cabriole front legs, each side with a pair of panels bisected by a rail, one drawer retaining its period embossed brass escutcheon, the interior fitted with a later medial belt of two drawers and shelves, and retaining an old surface.
h. 85-1/4", w. 65-3/8", d. 32"

Provenance: Descended in the Antoine Prudhomme family of Natchitoches, Louisiana, thence to the collection of Thomas Wells, where it has resided in the creole Buard-Wells House in the city of Natchitoches, thence to his heirs.

Literature: The present armoire is discussed on page 209 of Furnishing Louisiana: Creole and Acadian Furniture, 1735-1835 by Holden, Bacot, Gontar, et al. It is also illustrated on the back slip cover. According to the authors, it is one of two known faux bois armoires in the body of work.
Dimensions: 65.375 x 85.25 x 32 in