Antique Eastlake Victorian Walnut Knockdown Clothing Armoire Linen Press Cabinet

Description

Antique Eastlake Victorian knockdown armoire. Made of walnut featuring two lower drawers with pin and cove / nap joint construction, and large upper cabinet with removable insert.
The Knapp joint was developed during the late Victoria Era in post Civil War United States. Patented by Charles Knapp of Waterloo, WI in 1867, the Knapp Joint was a huge breakthrough for the furniture industry; machines called routers made circular cuts in wood far quicker than by hand.

With large full length doors, we often look at antique armoires as passageways to secret rooms or even different worlds. While most antique armoires don’t take us to a different dimension, they nonetheless add incredible charm and beauty to both new and old homes alike.

Essentially, antique armoires are tall wardrobe or cabinet pieces with usually one or two tall doors on hinges. The interior may be fitted with rods or bars for hanging clothes, small drawers or shelves. An antique armoire may have mirrored doors, glass doors or wooden doors.

Before closets were built into rooms, a solid wood free-standing wardrobe or “armoire” (French for Wardrobe) was standard for storing clothes. However, not all could afford such a luxury, and many antique wardrobes belonged to the upper classes who owned more than one set of clothes.

antique french armoire Thus, on antique armoires from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, we often see artistic embellishments and luxurious details. Antique French armoires often have Rococo or Gothic carvings, mirrored doors and naturalistic carvings. These feminine elements on antique french armoires demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship and artistry afforded only by the rich.

Later, 20th century antique armoires often copied these trends, making early turn of the century armoires just as beautiful as some of their older counterparts.

In America, antique Victorian wardrobes of all styles, woods and sizes came out between the 1850’s and 1910’s. Many of these antique armoires are often called “knock-down” wardrobes. Simply put, these pieces could be easily disassembled and reassembled. This helped these monstrously large wardrobes fit up narrow staircases and winding hallways during the Victorian era.

In the 1920’s, the chifferobe (another French term that combines “robe” meaning dress and “chiffonier” or a type of chest of drawers) became popular in America. Often, furniture makers during the depression made chifferobes to become an affordable dual purpose piece of furniture. The difference between an armoire and a chifferobe is that a chifferobe will have one side completely comprised of drawers like a dresser.

Condition

Good antique condition, wear and distressing commensurate with age and use.

Dimensions

17.5" x 85.5" x 53"w