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A 17th-century cupboard from the border area between Umbria and Tuscany, one of those pieces conceived first and foremost as functional furniture. Its tapered, wedge-shaped profile—unusual but anything but accidental—with the sides narrowing toward the back, clearly points to a custom design: the cupboard was made to fit into a wall niche of a small town residence, built to match the available space with precision.
Crafted using materials typical of the austere yet elegant tradition of central Italy, it features a fir structure with chestnut mouldings, a combination that naturally produces a two-tone effect. A straightforward interplay of honest woods, capable of ennobling simplicity and offering a look that feels surprisingly current.
The doors are marked by large diamond-shaped panels, a clear and essential geometry that gives rhythm to the façade and defines the piece’s purpose: a notary’s cupboard, sturdy and protective, intended to store records, deeds, and documents safely away from moisture and pests.
The pre-restoration photographs confirm its original integrity: consistent wear, old layers of paint, small losses that do not compromise the structure, and ancient repairs—details that attest to the long life of the piece. The conservative restoration enhanced its clarity without erasing its history: structural consolidation, reconstruction of missing or damaged parts, stripping, cleaning, disinfestation and sanitization, restoration of the hardware, and a final hot-wax patina that enriched the surface while preserving its identity.
This is a cupboard that sits comfortably even in contemporary interiors: it can become a defining presence in an entryway, soften the clean lines of a modern kitchen with its warm finish, or serve as a document cabinet in a study.
A rare piece, with the quiet strength of furniture made to last—essential, understated, yet endowed with an authoritative presence that commands attention without needing to impose itself.
- Material: Fir wood with chestnut mouldings
- Size: Cm 122 x 57 x 191 (H)
- Condition: Restored
- Period: 17th century
- Style: Louis XIV
- State: Optimal conditions
