A Federal Highly Inlaid Cherrywood Armoire, New Orleans, Louisiana

inscribed on back Octobre 1815

Early Furniture of Louisiana: 1750-1830, The Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 27 thru July 31, 1972

Jessie J. Poesch, "Early Louisiana Armoires", The Magazine Antiques, vol. 94, no. 2 (August 1968), pp. 188, 196-205.
Jessie J. Poesch, Early Furniture of Louisiana: 1750-1830, (New Orleans, Louisiana: Louisiana State Museum, 1972), pp.58-9, no. 42.

secondary wood is cyprus; minor scratches to surface
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

With its elaborate inlays of paterae, vines, ovals, intersecting arcs, stringing, rope edging and medallion with a cipher, this armoire stands as one of the masterpieces of the form.  The armoire has the same Continental roots as the German schrank, the Spanish ropero, and the Dutch kast. Lower Mississippi River valley French settlers produced armoires that were influenced by French, Caribbean, and English design.   This armoire shows the influence of Louis XVI and English designs.  Louis XVI elements appear to have been introduced to the New Orleans area by Santo Domingan refugees fleeing slave revolts after 1791.  The intersecting arc inlays relate directly to inlay present on Federal pieces made in East coast cities such as Baltimore, Maryland.  This armoire is even more remarkable in the survival of original script stating 'Octobre 1815' and may likely indicate a date of manufacture. A related armoire with more subdued inlay is at Evergreen Plantation.  For additional information also see; Francis J. Puig, "The Early Furniture of the Mississippi River Valley, 1760-1820", in The American Craftsman and the European Tradition: 1620-1820, eds. Francis J. Puig and Michael Conforti, (Minneapolis, MN: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 1989), pp. 152-78.