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Louis XIV Stairs

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Unusual Antique Staircase Newel Post from France, Dated 1715
Located in Dallas, TX
This wonderful French, hand-carved newel post dates to the final year of King Louis XIV (1643-1715). A wonderful dog rests atop a scrolling acanthus leaf c-scroll, while it's front paws hold a cartouche dated 1715 (please see photo.) Beneath the cartouche is a Louis XIV motif called a Lambrequin or campane runner with tassels and two fleur de lys motifs on it . This motif is carried through to the large hand-carved fleur de lys and acanthus leaves on the outside curve of the newel post. Another Louis XIV motif, the rosette, is in the center of the circle. Clusters of grapes fit within acanthus leaves are at the edge where the post would have fit into the next stairway piece. The interior if fully carved, duplicating the design of the outer curve. Both sides are connected by a beaded molding on a foot of leaves and scrolls. From circa 1710 to the early 1800s, specialty workshops in southwest France created newel posts on commission for important properties. Animals were sometimes carved atop newel posts for symbolic value. For instance, lions and snakes...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Louis XIV Stairs

Materials

Oak

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