Small 19th-Century French Country Vaisselier w/ Openwork Galleries - 46½" x 33½"

This charming little 19th-century French country vaisselier comes from the Ardèche region of southeastern France. Made from oak or chestnut, it has a rich, warm brown patina and lovely carved details. Its open front features two shelves with decorative openwork galleries, designed to display and store plates and other tableware. A groove along the back of the top allows plates to rest upright against a wall, while a narrow wooden strip serves a similar purpose on the middle shelf. A small drawer at the top, with a decorative metal drop handle, provides useful storage for flatware. Carved diamond motifs, a scalloped apron and gently shaped legs complete the design. Interestingly, the wooden bars on the right side are straight rather than shaped like those on the other sides. The wood shows age marks, variations in color and traces of use that contribute to its lovely patina.