Armoires Travel From Ancient Rome to High-Style Storage
Go ahead, be possessive — this beautiful furniture piece with a rich history gives your treasures a proper home
How we store our possessions, especially our treasures, requires careful consideration. One storage solution, the armoire, has served people well for hundreds of years, and for good reason. Its evolution from ancient Rome through the time of King Louis XIII and the Victorian era has turned it into a flexible and practical piece. These days it's easy to find an armoire to suit any room or solve any storage problem.
Fixed armoires. There were two types of armoires in the 14th century. The fixed armoire was simply a recess in a stone wall with wooden doors. Although some might not categorize this as actual furniture, at the time these were widely used and documented as armoires — particularly in churches and monasteries.
This armoire is such an eye-catching piece of furniture. It appears to be a grounded, solid piece while also bringing a light, airy feel into the space.
This armoire is such an eye-catching piece of furniture. It appears to be a grounded, solid piece while also bringing a light, airy feel into the space.
Freestanding armoires. Freestanding armoires, with single or double doors and enclosed drawers, were also popular in the 14th century. These easily transported storage solutions were usually considered the property of the landowner, although there is evidence that some were the personal property of the home owner.
Medieval armoires were constructed to be functional, practical pieces of furniture. Sometimes medieval armoires had paint or gilding on them, but not often.
This armoire is a simple refined design that links the table and the mantel together, grounding the room and giving it structure.
Medieval armoires were constructed to be functional, practical pieces of furniture. Sometimes medieval armoires had paint or gilding on them, but not often.
This armoire is a simple refined design that links the table and the mantel together, grounding the room and giving it structure.
Renaissance armoire styles. The early Renaissance saw the emergence of the behaut-deux corps (two-door cabinet), so the armoire went out of favor for a time. But the reign of King Louis XIII brought the armoire back to life, and this piece began to dominate the furniture market again. The new designs were made in sturdy timbers, like walnut, and had raised diamond patterns, geometric shapes and moldings at both the top and bottom.
This magnificent hand-painted antique Bavarian armoire shows similar strength and moldings.
This magnificent hand-painted antique Bavarian armoire shows similar strength and moldings.
Manufacturing changes. French designers in the 19th century created armoires with Gothic and Renaissance flourishes, like columns and carvings of vegetation, as the appetite for these styles continued unabated. Since domestic doorways were smaller than those of the castles of the 17th century, these craftsmen had to get creative. The need to construct the armoire, dismantle it and reassemble it in its new home started a whole new approach to cabinetry manufacture.
This Asian-inspired armoire with its traditional shape sits comfortably in this contemporary setting, since its carved timber fretwork harmonizes with the fixtures around it.
This Asian-inspired armoire with its traditional shape sits comfortably in this contemporary setting, since its carved timber fretwork harmonizes with the fixtures around it.
Upgrading to glass doors. The bibliothèque (literally "library"), an armoire with glass doors, was also popular during the 19th century. Used mainly in libraries and offices to display books back then, the bibliothèque now appears everywhere from sitting rooms to dining rooms to kitchens, showing off precious mementos.
This glorious antique glass armoire uses different timbers and patterns to recall a time gone by, creating a lovely talking point.
Do you have a beautiful armoire? Please share a photo and tell us where you found it.
This glorious antique glass armoire uses different timbers and patterns to recall a time gone by, creating a lovely talking point.
Do you have a beautiful armoire? Please share a photo and tell us where you found it.
By the 14th century, most Western Europeans owned small chests — called caskets — or larger coffers to hold jewelry and valuables. As smaller towns started to prosper, people felt more settled and secure enough to display their possessions. Eventually, the coffer was turned on its side and put on legs.