Louis XV Style Bookcase in Oak, 1960

Details

Description

Open bookcase of French manufacture in the Louis XV style, crafted in oak, circa 1950-1970. The low, wide form is … Read more Open bookcase of French manufacture in the Louis XV style, crafted in oak, circa 1950-1970. The low, wide form is softened by the curved frame and short cabriole legs, without compromising the calm horizontal arrangement of the three compartments.

Historical context: Low, open bookcases have been a feature of bourgeois living and working spaces since the 19th century. Their low height allowed them to be placed under windows, between doors, or along walls without visually dividing the room; the top remained open for pictures, clocks, or lamps, and the surface served as a shelf. In the 20th century, the French furniture industry revived the design language of the 18th century, producing it in a mass-produced, handcrafted style for private households. Oak was the preferred material, as it was suitable for both load-bearing frame constructions and the shallow carved ornamentation typical of this furniture group. Features: Solid oak top with a profiled, rounded edge, left natural and deliberately color-contrasting with the finished body. Curved panel below the top and curved apron with a centrally placed, carved shell motif and foliage on the sides.

Design: The design follows the Louis XV style in its rural French expression. Characteristic features include the continuous curved contours of the panel and apron, the rocaille motif in the center of the apron, the short cabriole legs with rolled feet, and the rounded, fluted front posts. The side panels are constructed as a frame-and-panel system and echo the vertical lines of the posts. The ornamentation remains subtle and limited to a few areas, allowing the closed surface of the body to act as a calm counterpoint. The opaque finish of the body and the natural top create a deliberate material contrast that emphasizes the structure of the piece.

Dimensions: Height 100 cm × Width 106 cm × Depth 32 cm. Material and condition: Solid oak, frame and panel construction, two shelves, closed back panel. The top is natural and waxed or lacquered, the body is finished in a muted gray-green; the finish is open-pore, allowing the wood grain to remain visible. The piece was completely refurbished and refinished by Kastellan: inspected, cleaned, treated appropriately for the material, structurally checked, and is stable and functional. Minor surface irregularities and slight marks in the wood are part of the natural material and not defects. See less