Antiques

Item Description

Late 17th-Early 18th Century French Pie Chest Shelving Unit from the North West of France (Normandy/Brittany)

This hiostoric piece is a testament to French-merican friendhsip as it once belonged to DanielChester French, the world-renowned sculptor of Washington DC's iconic Lincoln Memorial, who purchased it in France for his Washington D.C. home.

Smoked Oak

Dimensions:

Height: 78"
Depth: 19.5
Lower Section Height: 22"

Crafted with care from quality fumed oak, this shelving unit radiates its era's simple elegance and strength. It is composed of an open part at the bottom and of a pie compartment on the top that has priced tin doors under which two rails for crockery display. 

More on Daniel Chester French's French connections

French had embarked on serveral trips to Europe to study drawing and explore the various new modeling techniques. He had the privilege of being instructed by notable sculptors like Emmanuel Frémiet, Paul Dubois or August Bartholdi, already famous for its Statue of Liberty. These immersive experience marked his first true exposure to the influential Beaux Arts movement, which played a vital role in shaping his future artistic endeavors, influenced in part by his friend and fellow sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. He is still considered as a major American artist, as the publication of his biography last year shows. Daniel Chester French bought the bakery shelving unit in 1860, probably to a French gentleman, on the Grand Tour.

Accordingly, owning this unique artifact seeks to find a new home wher its long and rich history would be appreciated, cherished and continued.

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Note: This item is located at the Maison Francaise, Embassy of France, Washington DC, where it can be picked up in person. The shipping costs of the piece are the responsibility of the Purchaser. It ought to be picked up or shipped by July 31, 2023.
 

Item Special Note

About L'Enfant Gallery of Georgetown

L’Enfant Gallery of Georgetown is offering $15,000 of prestigious antique furniture from their collection. Peter Colasante has been in business for 50 years and has pieces from Presidential collections and historic Georgetown families. As part of his 50th anniversary he is now focusing on his painting collection and so has kindly offered several pieces of furniture to our auction.

See them

on Instagram @lenfantgalleryofgeorgetown;

on their website: https://www.trocadero.com/stores/lenfantgallery/ ;

or in the news: https://georgetowner.com/articles/2016/02/18/sense-rich-surprise-lenfant-gallery/.