Antique French Breton Bed Carved Bed Louis Collet Pontivy

Antique French Breton Carved Oak Bed Frame, Bedside Tables and 2 Bedroom Chairs – Louis Collet, c.1930 A truly magnificent and highly decorative antique French Breton bedroom suite, comprising an exceptionally carved king size bed, two complementary bedside cabinets and a pair of carved bedroom chairs. Originating from Brittany, France, this impressive suite is a wonderful example of traditional Breton craftsmanship, displaying an extraordinary wealth of intricate carvings, sculptural figures, rural scenes and architectural detailing. Rich in history and character, the furniture has developed a beautiful deep patina over the generations, highlighting the exceptional quality and detail of the woodwork. ORIGINAL FRENCH MANUFACTURER’S LABEL – LOUIS COLLET, PONTIVY A particularly special feature of this bed is the survival of its original French manufacturer’s label, bearing the name Louis Collet, 17 Rue de Lourmel, Pontivy, Morbihan, Brittany dated 5th July 1930. This wonderful piece of surviving documentation provides a fascinating connection to the bed’s origins and the traditional furniture-making heritage of Brittany. The centrepiece of the suite is undoubtedly the magnificent Breton bed, with its imposing headboard and footboard, both exceptionally decorated with deeply carved panels depicting traditional rural life. Of particular interest are the two delightful carved figures standing proudly upon the corner posts of the headboard. One depicts a Breton countrywoman dressed in traditional rural costume and holding what appears to be a harvesting sickle, while the other portrays a farmer in traditional dress. The headboard and footboard are richly embellished with carved circular medallions illustrating rural scenes, surrounded by elaborate floral and foliate ornamentation. Beautifully turned spindle galleries, imposing carved columns, decorative finials and an elaborate ornamental crest further enhance the bed’s impressive architectural appearance. The carved crest is removable for transportation. Accompanying the bed are two carved Breton bedside cabinets. Although not identical in design, the cabinets complement one another wonderfully and form part of this charming bedroom ensemble. Their slight differences in design add to the individual character and charm of the suite. Completing the ensemble is a delightful pair of traditional French Breton bedroom chairs. CONDITION The suite presents beautifully, retaining a wonderful deep, rich antique patina. We have sympathetically cleaned, waxed and polished the furniture, carefully preserving its original character and aged appearance. Good antique condition overall, with expected age-related wear, marks and minor imperfections consistent with its age and use. There are a couple of historic repairs to the lower plinth corners of the bed. As is sometimes the case with antique French furniture of this age, there may be occasional evidence of historic woodworm. Any suspected areas are thoroughly treated as a precaution. *** A matching Breton wardrobe is available separately in our other listings *** Dimensions * Width 154 cm * Depth 208 cm * Height head board 162 cm * Height footboard 97 cm * Internal 194 x 144 cm * Across side panels full width is 152 cm The bed can also be used with a king-size mattress, which simply sits on top of the side rails rather than fitting inside the frame. Bedside tables 44.5 x 40 x 83 cm Chairs 43 x 40 x 100 cm