18th/19th Century French Provincial Religious Oratory Sacristy Cabinet

Description

A scarce French Provincial Louis XV (1715-1774) / Louis XVI (1774-1792) Period mixed wood religious oratory (prie-dieu / altar)

Hand-crafted … more A scarce French Provincial Louis XV (1715-1774) / Louis XVI (1774-1792) Period mixed wood religious oratory (prie-dieu / altar)

Hand-crafted in France in the 18th century, with later 19th century elements, likely originating in the south of France / Mediterranean region, featuring pegged solid wooden construction of warm, rich fruitwood, chesnut, oak, and maple.

Having a slant-front bureau with tall raised back decorated with three Renaissance Revival style high relief panels, the center depicting religious scene comprising Jesus and winged Saint, the side panels with foliate floral fruit pendant carvings, flanked by classical turned baluster-form columns, surmounted with highly stylized hand carved and turned finials. Over a slant-front with star parquetry, the hinged drop-front opens to reveal a distressed leather writing desk / lectern / pulpit on which the holy books can be laid open and allows to shelter the books, which were considered precious goods at that time. The lower sacristy cabinet has a pair of slide-out supports flanking a paneled cupboard door decorated with a large stepped base Christian cross parquetry inlay, affixed with later decorative forged iron faux escutcheon overtop. The door opening with key to a single fixed shelf on which holy items would have been stored, rising on block feet.

An oratory signifies a place of prayer, but technically it means a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass. Oratories seem to have originated from the chapels, eventually finding their way into the private homes of some noblemen. Similar to a prie-dieu, which is a type of prayer desk primarily intended for private devotional use, but which may also be found in churches. Typically a small, ornamental wooden desk furnished with a thin, sloping shelf for books or hands, and a kneeler, sometimes having a built-in altar.

Dimensions: (approx)
59.25" High, 32" Wide, 22.5" Deep

Great antique condition. Overall excellent shape, but as expected somewhat delicate due to design and age. Presents splendidly, enhanced by highly desirable warm, rich patina over the whole.

Beautifully aged honey coloring, superb grain detail patterns, and mellow, lustrous sheen. Retaining naturally distressed, worn, original antique character marks from typical wear consistent with age and use, that does not detract from the display, but only adds to the overall rustic warmth and elegant sophistication.

We absolutely love antique religious items! If you're interested in other examples, including architectural salvage or ornamental church / temple / mosque building elements, reliquary, tabernacle, altar, altarpiece, credence table, kneelers, European old world relics, Spanish Colonial retablo paintings, Santo figures or Mexican / Central American religious folk art, home shrine, Gothic vestment cabinet, vestry, baptismal fonts and more, please be sure to check our other listings. less