Late 19th-Century Painted Larch Cabinet w/ Slatted Upper Case - 59¾"

A tall and narrow late 19th-century cabinet in larch, later painted over an earlier reddish varnish. The cornice-molded top lifts to a storage well ventilated with vertical slats to the front and sides, while a single molded-panel door sits below. A small brass catch at the cornice bears concentric-ring decoration, hinting at a handmade, folk-art origin. The back is fully paneled, and a removable shelf divides the open slatted section from the closed compartment beneath; the shelf appears to be a later addition made from composite wood. The surface shows soft taupe-rose paint with a richly aged patina, weathered and worn with scattered paint losses and abrasions that lend a pleasingly distressed, rustic charm.

Its tall, ventilated design suggests a practical domestic function, perhaps for storing foodstuffs such as flour, bread, or charcuterie, or for linens and kitchenware needing airflow. The use of larch reflects regional preferences for durable, resinous woods in Alpine and southern French cabinetry, while the lifting top recalls the traditional coffre or bahut. The simple square feet, brass catch, and layered finish speak to the quiet utility and rural craftsmanship of 19th-century French country furniture, retaining an appealing balance of function and folk artistry.

This compact, vertical piece lends character to a powder room or bath as a towel and linen keeper, or stands in a kitchen as a slim pantry. It could also serve in a laundry room to separate clean and soiled laundry, or in an entryway where the lower section holds shoes and the upper part bags or scarves. Style it beneath a rustic mirror or a small still life, letting the textured surface play beautifully against plaster, limewash, or stone.