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Wonderful Quality French Aesthetic Period “Japonisme” Faux Bamboo Hall Stand of Grand Proportions with Central Mirror

French Circa 1890

Of broadly rectangular form, this fine piece of hall furniture includes a large central mirror and the usual array of hat holders, a stick stand with removable drip tray and coat hooks, the top being framed by a fine triangular pediment. The mirror is a later distressed plate.

During the late 19th century craze for Japonisme (or Japanese-influenced orientalism) faux bamboo furnishings and even pieces in that style made in cast iron became popular and many hall stands were produced in this vein. The scale and sheer quality of the carving on this example set it apart from other examples of its type, as does the intricacy of the pattern formed by the faux bamboo mouldings. The burr veneers used for the body of the piece set off the “bamboo” work beautifully and the survival of the original large central mirror plate is remarkable given the heavy use the piece would have endured in the past.

A piece of this scale could only have been intended for the very grandest of houses and would almost certainly have been produced as a bespoke commission given the unusually wide proportions. The mellow colour makes this piece all the more attractive and versatile-it would grace either a contemporary or more traditional interior equally well. A truly magnificent example of its kind that would make a wonderful first impression upon arrival for any guest in one's house.