Elegant French Directoire Style Mahogany Bookcase

This is an elegant, good quality antique French bookcase cabinet in the Directoire style dating from around 1870. The classically styled cabinet is in solid mahogany with shaped glazed doors and brass mounts throughout. There are four solid shelves that are all fully adjustable, and a working lock and key. The cabinet is raised on solid mahogany turned tulip feet with brass mounts. Directoire style was a period in the decorative arts, fashion, and especially furniture design in France concurrent with the Directory (November 2, 1795–November 10, 1799), the later part of the French Revolution. The style uses Neoclassical architectural forms, minimal carving, planar expanses of highly grained veneers, and applied decorative painting. It is a style transitional between Louis Xvi and Empire. This is a smart and very useful cabinet in the classic Directoire style, being also a very useful size.