Large 17th Century Walnut Sideboard With Two Double Doors, Two Drawers, Cornice, And Double-headed Eagle Motif.

Rare in this condition, with its four keys, two double doors without central panels, and two generous drawers in the frieze, crafted from magnificent, patinated, pest-free walnut. This imposing piece, originating from eastern France, is surmounted by a double-headed eagle and eagles on the sides in the upper section, beneath the generous cornice and atop the twisted half-columns. This elegant piece has survived the centuries; the beautiful heartwood walnut from which it is made was felled in the spring (the tannins from the rising sap being a natural pesticide), our ancestors believed, after a long drying process... in the 16th century, and it was born at the beginning of the 15th century! The piece is adorned with four molded cornices: two in the center framing the drawers, one at the top, and one at the base above the sturdy, round feet. The extraordinary natural patina makes all the difference, and the cabinetmaker who crafted this masterpiece with meticulous care, from the carving to the fine polish, has also considered practicality. He has thought of moving, as it splits in two in the middle, concealed by the cornice at the top of the drawers. The understated framed panels are as beautiful as the sides, while the back features a parqueted frame with a pegged construction. Everything about this piece is captivating: its practicality, its beauty, and its exceptional condition, with the lovely, warm patina of this fine and even walnut completing the effect. A beautiful, historic piece of remarkable quality.