April 03, 2026

Antique Highlight: Regency Buffet Deux Corps

This week at French Metro we are taking a closer look at this early eighteenth century oak buffet deux corps from a chateau in northern France.

Hand carved in the Regency style which dates from 1720-1750, this piece was used to display the fine porcelain and silver collection of the castle. The buffet consists of two cabinets. The upper cabinet features two mullioned glass doors each with their original hand blown glass panes. The top is hand carved with a scalloped motif and is capped with a "chapeau de gendarme" cornice or policeman’s hat due to its curved shape.

An idiosyncracy in the hand carving is that the artisan forgot to finish the carving of the very last scallop at the top on the left side.

The interior of the top has a paneled back and two curved front shelves.

The lower cabinet is detailed with symmetrical hand carvings of scalloped shells and a central rosette on the apron flanked by a geometric pattern. The front drops down and serves to hold the pieces of porcelain while taking them down for dinner service. Today, it could act as a desk surface.

The three lower drawers of dovetail construction are all fitted with their original bronze drop ring handles and escutcheons each detailed with the profile of a nobleman or noblewoman.

The piece has been in the family of French antique dealers for the past 75 years when they acquired it directly from the chateau owner. I have personally admired it in their home for the past 25 years, and was recently fortunate to acquire it for French Metro Antiques. An exquisite piece in exceptional condition and one of my all time favorites!