This French Moderne bedroom set's focal point is this immense armoire in (what appears to be) that rarified, rich and complex wood, amboyna burl (pterocarpus indicus, from Borneo and the Moluccas, East Indies). The armoire measures 80 inches wide, about 84 counting the feet on the sides. The height is 74, the depth about 25. The side doors swing to the left or right, revealing shelves (scroll, next photo); and the center doors open, revealing larger shelves and two drawers. The door on the right has the original mirror on the inside, which has some small chips where it's fastened to the door. Each door has its original key (see photo below).

Note the two drawers, the locking one on the right, at the bottom of the center section. NOW will you have room for that precious sock collection of yours?

The bed, with its graceful curve on the headboard, measures 63 wide by 79 long, the interior about 60 by 76, large enough for a queen-sized mattress (save a few inches on the length). There are two slats, not shown.

The design of the footboard mirrors that of the armoire.

The vanity resembles a Modernist sculpture, with its asymetrical and pyramiding overall shape. It's 68 1/2 high, 39 wide, and 18 deep. The mirror is not original to the piece -- it's a brand-new replacement cut to match the original exactly. That's a small drawer on the top left, a shelf underneath; and on the right side, the cabinet door swings open to the right, giving access to two storage compartments. Note the extended "foot" on the bottom front of the vanity. This handsome design element is repeated above the mirror, as well as on the vertical devices which hold the mirror in place at the top of the work surfaces -- and, for that matter, on the left and right sides of the base. SORRY, THE VANITY IS NOW SOLD!!!

The nightstands are in excellent condition, the tops being stain- and essentially wear-free; they are asymetrical and different from each other as well! This one measures 19 1/2 wide, 13 deep, 26 high.

The other nightstand, which also measures 19 1/2 wide, 13 deep, and 26 high, has a drawer (I have the original round knob, but it's not shown in this photo). SORRY, THE NIGHTSTANDS ARE NOW SOLD!!

Noticing details is always rewarding on objects of this fine nature -- and this bold foot, whose design is repeated through the set, on virtually every piece, deserves noticing! The wood appears to be mahogany, which is used on many of the vertical elements throughout the set, providing a nice interplay with the rich and more complex amboyna burl.

The top of the armoire, also mahogany, has a graceful curve descending from the top. Note the elegant, minimalist hinge.

The heavy, solid brass (chrome-plated) keys to the armoire, exquisite little Modernist jewels by themselves.

Here's one example of the richness and complexity, and fine condition, of the amboyna burl which is the major wood employed in this set. This photograph shows the top of one of the nightstands. By the way, there is no evidence of any beetle or worm holes anywhere in the set! In any case, it's been professionally fumigated, so if there were any critters, they're toast.

You're wondering "what's wrong with this set, anyway?" Well, here's one of the "major problems," a scuffed corner on the headboard!!! Obviously this can be retouched very easily!

On the left and right sides of the armoire, at the very back, there is a mahogany board running vertically from the top to bottom of the sides, a decorative element on the exterior. On each side it has a hairline split, probably from being too dry, whatever. Now we're talking about the most "serious damage" to the set! ... In other words, the set is practically like new, and I'd imagine it's in the neighborhood of 70-80 years old. A professional restorer could make this set look "like a million" with very little effort, but you, gentle reader, could probably manage that yourself, with a can of Black Bison clear wax, all by yourself! That way, you'd have "proprietary interest" in it (sweat equity). Or, pay another $500 on top of the price, and I'll have my professional restorer go over the entire set, giving the tops on the vanity and nightstands a fresh French polish, touching up all the little blemishes (all three of them), the scratches (all two of them), and so on.

 ...interested?

 

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