18C French Country Large Walnut Duet/Quartet Stand

Published by Nevan O Shaughnessy on April 2, 2024April 2, 2024

PRESENTING A BEAUTIFUL and EXTREMELY RARE 18C French Country Large Walnut Duet/Quartet Stand, circa 1760.

Lovely proportions and beautifully carved.

Perfect for a home study, library or den or simply any home of elegance!

Can also be used a a ‘Lutrin’ or ‘Lectern” for display of books, art, etc.

Beautifully hand crafted stand.

The stand has 2 identical sides for the display of sheet music for a duet.

Due to it’s width, we believe this was made for a quartet.

It has a gorgeous natural walnut patina, complete with historic evidence of European woodworm!.

It is provincial in style, not over elaborate like Louis XV or XVI pieces or even Georgian pieces in the UK.

It measures 38 inches in width which is very wide for this type of stand. It has to central columns for the support and raising of the stand with wooden pegs to fix the stand in position if raised. The legs on either side are reeded and it stands on turned supports or feet with a central cross support.

The stand is flanked on either side by the original gilt metal candle holders (4 of them) on hinged swinging lever arms, so that the light could be positioned to the artists desired choice.

The patina of the over 250 year old walnut is simply GLORIOUS!

The piece is in AMAZING condition for it’s age.

A REAL HISTORICAL BEAUTY!

French furniture comprises both the most sophisticated furniture made in Paris for king and court, aristocrats and rich upper bourgeoisie, on the one hand, and French provincial furniture made in the provincial cities and towns many of which, like Lyon and Liège, retained cultural identities distinct from the metropolis. There was also a conservative artisanal rural tradition of French country furniture which remained unbroken until the advent of the railroads in the mid-nineteenth century.
Furniture made in provincial centers such as Blois and Orléans in the Loire valley, and at Lyon or Liège (Not part of France politically but within its cultural orbit), followed at some distance the design innovations that were initiated in the luxury trades of Paris, often with a time lag that could amount to decades.

Features typically associated with French Provincial furniture include cabriole legs, and simple scalloped carving. Dining chairs often have a wheat pattern carving reflecting the country surroundings of the maker. The ladder back chair with a woven rush seat is the typical French Provincial dining chair. Finishes vary though common to all colours is the accumulation of polish or grime in the carving over time resulting in an aged patina and emphasis on the carving regardless of whether the furniture is painted or stained.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_furniture