Baroque Style Pine Armoire in Original Decorative Paint

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Baroque Style Pine Armoire in Original Decorative Paint

About the Item

This extraordinary Baroque style armoire is one of the nicest we have ever had. It has spent the last thirty years in this dealer’s home. Downsizing now necessitates its sale. Beneath the beautiful contours of the bold crown molding are two doors, each with two panels, mounted on massive zinc strap hinges, which allow the doors to open more than ninety degrees. The front corners have a characteristic 45 degree chamfer about six inches wide. The base molding is as attractive as the crown, standing elegantly on four big turned feet. Lovingly hand-made, with all pegged and dovetailed construction, this armoire is built to come apart in the middle, the two halves tongue and grooved to slot together and lock through cleats, top and bottom, with wooden mortise and tenon keys. (see images). As remarkable as the armoire itself is the hand-painted decoration. The ground is a stylized grain paint in shades of green with stripes of black and yellow. These burst away from the door panels as if exploding, then form waves across the front and sides of the piece where they are given an architectural form with the superimposition of frame lines in black paint. On each side two of these faux frames are filled with a solid green paint. One wonders if this seeming anomaly hides some earlier decorative work. Already a unique armoire, it is the painted door panels that make this piece truly outstanding. The left hand upper panel bears the capital letters IHS, a contraction of the Greek spelling of Jesus. This has become the monogram or symbol for the name of Jesus and has been (erroneously) expanded in Latin, as “Iesus Hominem Salvatore” (Jesus, Savior of Men), amongst other phrases, Above it stands a cross, beneath it the sacred heart of Jesus, all woven together with floral sprigs. The lower panel is a floral celebration featuring a stylized sunflower(?), symbol of something greater and more permanent than man himself. The right hand door, upper panel, contains one of the familiar European monograms for the Virgin Mary. The capital letters forming MARIA configured in this way, can be found throughout Central and Eastern Europe and especially in the predominantly Roman Catholic region of the former Bohemia, from where this piece likely originates, and which now forms much of the Czech Republic. Again, the lower panel is occupied by a similar floral composition as is found on the left. This paintwork with its muted colors and bold application of paint draws the eye into the panels and inspires a search into the symbolism therein. The paint is in very good order. Where it has worn or flaked away it exposes a rich colored yellow pine which complements the shades of green and other pigments. The original pressed zinc escutcheon plates are clearly designed as a set with the huge hand-made strap hinges and the ornate spring-loaded lock, all etched and scrolled, all handsome accessories, which indicate the high regard in which such an armoire was held. The piece is supplied with four retrofitted shelves, three of which are installed. Bohemia (Czech Republic), circa 1800.

Dimensions:
Height: 77.5 in (196.85 cm)Width: 66.5 in (168.91 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
Style:
Baroque (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Pine,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
Czech Republic
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1800
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Very good sturdy condition with wear consistent with age and use. Small piece missing at front center. (see images).
Seller Location:
Baltimore, MD
Reference Number:
Seller: Elmarm011stDibs: LU881524853192