Neo-gothic Armoire. Carved Oak Wood. 19th Century.

Neo-Gothic wardrobe. Carved oak wood. 19th century. A tall piece of furniture made of carved oak with a dark finish, consisting of a hollow lower body decorated with “napkin” or “parchment” plaques, bands of linear motifs and thin columns, and an upper body with two doors (which give access to shelves with two spaces); between them there are two drawers with fronts carved with plant motifs. Raised on legs decorated with plaques on the front, the doors have a symmetrical composition of stems with grapes (around Gothic-type letters) in a setting of smooth mouldings, decorated ironwork and human figures on pedestals; the sides of this area have “parchment” decoration. The piece is finished off with a prominent smooth moulding. Typologically, the present piece follows a form that recalls certain Renaissance works (especially buffets) with variations that were already common in pieces from the 19th century. As for the decoration, focused on the front, the influence of Spanish Gothic works is clear both in the subject matter and in the composition: sculptures on pedestals and the clothing of the figures, the compositions of the drawers, the presence of those panels with “napkin” carvings, the panels with the stems and grapes, the letters, the thin columns, etc. Likewise, it is possible to appreciate a certain air from Neoclassicism, a common style in the 19th century. At this time, it was common to draw inspiration from styles of the past to create outstanding furniture, such as the present one. Although Neo-Gothic was more frequently used for ecclesiastical works, it was not absent from important residences and other institutions, as it was one of the favourite styles at the time. It is possible to find examples that recall this cabinet in museums such as the Romanticism Museum in Madrid, the National Museum of Decorative Arts in the same city, etc. · Size: 50x132x170 cms