Antique painted pine wardrobe – Austria, 1831

This antique wardrobe, painted in pine wood, retains its original polychromy on a green background, featuring four panels painted with bouquets in vases. It originates from Austria, from the first half of the 19th century, where local pine was crafted using mortise and tenon joints and decorated with distemper. The frieze bears two painted reserves in red that distribute the date on either side of the doors: 18 on the left, 31 on the right. A female name can be read between the two. This was a common practice for marriage furniture in Central Europe, where the wardrobe was delivered dated and inscribed in the name of its owner. The body is made of solid pine, with two panelled doors on a frame and a moulded cornice. The hinges and lock entries are made of wrought iron, with pull knobs. The whole rests on four turned ball feet. The green background has faded to a deep olive, and the red of the mouldings has softened to an earthy orange. The wear around the locks and on the edges of the doors reveals the wood. The undecorated sides show the bare pine, with visible grain and knots. A large piece that structures a bedroom or a spacious entrance. Its green and red palette complements rustic or alpine interiors, and its painted facade allows it to singularly carry the colour of an otherwise sober room. Details. Dimensions: Length 139 cm – Depth 59 cm – Height 177 cm. Style: Folk art. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; wrought iron fittings; mortise and tenon joinery; original polychromy in distemper. Place of origin: Central Europe – Austria. Period: Alpine folk art. Date of manufacture: 1831. Condition / Observations: Retains its original polychromy with cracks and occasional losses. The sides reveal the bare wood. Wear consistent with age and use.