Antique French Art Nouveau Quarter Sawn Oak Bookcase China Cabinet c. 1918

  

Antique French Art Nouveau Quarter Sawn Oak Bookcase, Painted Panel-Beveled Glass c. This massive antique bookcase is a marvel. Standing over 9 ft tall, it is made entirely of quarter sawn oak, with beautifully molded brass hardware in the shape of belled flowers and twined leaves.

Its construction is an engineering achievement with mortise and tenon joinery visible on the main piece as well as all shelves. There are a few iron dowels, especially around the doors of the cabinets, to help stabilize the heavier sections, but the majority of the item is stabilized by its own weight.

Beautifully symmetrical, the piece features two large cabinets as the largest display area- each with 1/4 thick beveled glass-front doors that open, with a single brass lock, into a space with three adjustable shelves. Beneath each of the main cupboards is a heavily carved, blind front cabinet, secured with another cast-brass lock, with one adjustable shelf.

The coup de grace is fitted directly into the center - a single space split between a square bevel glass-fronted cabinet and a gorgeous, hand-painted rippled glass-fronted full length door. The door features a stunning reverso-painted classically Art Nouveau design by French glass artist Henri Uvueau (signed by the artist) and has a heavily carved bottom panel that echoes the floral and Greco-Roman designs prevalent throughout the rest of the piece. Inside, the small transom cabinet is an open space, no shelves, but inside the main door are two deep adjustable shelves. This piece was manufactured by hand sometime in the early 20th century in France. Henri Uvueau, the French artist, was most active between 1905 - 1928, dying in 1939. He was mostly known for designing and painting glass windows for churches in France, but won a gold metal for his Art Nouveau designs at the International Exhibition in Nantes, in 1904. His work is considered some of the most true to the original Art Nouveau manifesto with an emphasis on Greco-Roman traditions, themes of nature and the natural world, and a fluid, feminine lilt to finished designs. The bookcase more than likely has had less than three owners since its construction and, while in fantastic condition for its age, does show signs of its travels. There are several repairs to the fluted columns with their turned relief moldings and some splintered edges where the doors are fitted into their frames. There are pieces missing on some of the designs on the front of the blind fronts as well. There are some signs of staining to the wood along the base of the piece. There is a single key, not original, that opens all six locks. It is 109" tall, 112" wide, and 29 deep. As a whole, this bookcase easily weighs 450 lbs. Please consult images and message with any questions. Many of our buyers have had great experiences finding a shipper on uShip. Please message for more information. This item is in the category "Antiques\Furniture\Bookcases". The seller is "powerantiques" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Region of Origin: France
• Maker: Henri Uvueau
• Item Width: 112 in
• Time Period Manufactured: 1900-1920
• Item Length: 29 in
• Item Height: 109 in
• Width: 112\
• Material: Glass, Oak
• Sub-Style: French
• Additional Parts Required: No
• Height: 109\
• Brand: Unbranded
• Style: Art Nouveau
• Antique: Yes
• Color: Dark Wood Tone
• Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
• Depth: 29\
• Number of Shelves: 3
• Type: Bookcase