Museum - "shelf Of Love" With Birds And A Heart – Folk Art - Furniture - Wedding Keepsake

Second half of the 19th century

Haute-Loire, Auvergne, France

Private collection, by bequest

A rare and exceptional display shelf made of turned and carved wood, richly decorated with motifs characteristic of the folk art of the Haute-Loire.

Probably made for a wedding or as a token of love, this small display shelf is distinguished by its large, knife-carved pediment. The design centers on a large heart flanked by two facing birds—motifs traditionally associated with love, union, and marriage in folk art.

The piece is lavishly adorned with rosettes, radiating wheels, stars, stylized foliage, and engraved and carved geometric motifs, forming a particularly rich decorative scheme characteristic of the rural traditions of the Massif Central.

The structure consists of two levels of shelves connected by numerous turned wooden columns, alternately ringed and shaped like balusters. Small conical elements at the ends complete this miniature architecture and give the piece a particularly original and decorative silhouette.

Intended to display small, familiar, or precious objects within the home, this shelf must have held a special place in its owner’s home. The significance attached to the heart and the birds, as well as the care taken in its craftsmanship, likely allow it to be identified as an object associated with love or marriage.

With its elaborate construction, abundant decoration, and above all the extreme rarity of this type of piece, this shelf stands as a remarkable example of the folk art of the Haute-Loire region in the second half of the 19th century.

A museum-quality piece, particularly rare on the market.

Beautiful antique patina and signs of wear consistent with the object’s age.

Dimensions:

Height: 38 cm including the pediment

Width: 64 cm

Depth: 18 cm

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