Large Louis XV Two-part Sideboard - 18th Century - Loire Valley Castle Furniture

Large double-section presentation buffet in cherry and oak – Louis XIV – Louis XV period. Provenance: Château des Deux-Sèvres. France, early 18th century.
This piece comes with a period purchase invoice (210,000 francs) accompanied by a certificate of authenticity dated 1992. Dimensions: Height: 281 cm - Width: 196 cm - Depth: 72 cm (lower part) / 50 cm (upper part).
This piece can be viewed in Loire-Atlantique by appointment.
Certificate of authenticity and appropriate delivery.

This remarkable double-section presentation buffet, in blond cherry and oak, brilliantly embodies the refinement of French cabinetmaking in the transition between the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XV. The work of a Loire Valley workshop, it demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship and a decorative flair combining balance, voluptuousness, and elegance.

The ensemble consists of two superimposed sections, the upper one recessed, forming a harmonious facade with eight curved doors and two drawers. The doors are fretted, molded, and carved with volutes, acanthus leaves, and shells, emblematic motifs of the nascent Louis XV style.

The curved trapezoidal sides extend this fluid and refined silhouette, while the upper cornice, shaped like a gendarme's hat, unfolds in an elegant curved and molded movement. The upper and lower belts feature lively lines, adorned with sculpted foliage and stylized shells, of fine and masterful execution.

The metalwork is particularly meticulous: the openwork wrought iron espagnolette bolts, locks, and keyways, all original, are of fine craftsmanship. The set includes eight locks and eight keys, attesting to the completeness and authenticity of the piece.
The hardware exhibits a soft and even patina, giving the piece a noble and antique appearance without excessive restoration.

The interior of the upper section reveals three original fretwork shelves, while the lower section includes a large straight shelf and two side compartments.
The right and left side doors of the upper section open onto three internal shelves, completing a functional and balanced storage space.

Each corner and upright is carved with foliate and shell motifs, echoing the decorative vocabulary of interior woodwork from the first half of the 18th century.
The long-pin hinges and flat-latch locks are typical of this period. The golden honey patina of the cherry wood gives the piece a rare warmth and highlights the tight grain of the wood.

Beautiful antique patina, carefully maintained. There are some old restorations consistent with the age of the piece. A small chip is noted on an iron lock escutcheon on the lower left door. Restorations are required on the ends of the front legs and on the lower right-hand upright, without compromising the solidity or overall aesthetic of the piece.

This piece of furniture is unusual due to its harmonious proportions and the richness of its carved decoration. This sideboard is an emblematic example of 18th-century Loire furniture, gracefully expressing the transition from the classicism of Louis XIV to the Rococo movement of the reign of Louis XV.