What defines Charles X period furniture?

Originating in France during the reign of King Charles X (18241830), this style is distinguished by the use of light-coloured native timbers such as burr maple, ash, and lemonwood, contrasting with dark accents or gilt bronze mounts.

What materials were traditionally used in Charles X glazed cabinets?

Cabinetmakers primarily used light-toned wood veneers like burr maple, pine or oak carcases, blown glass pane inserts, and cast chiseled bronze mounts known as ormolu.

How do you identify an authentic 19th-century French glazed cabinet?

Authentic pieces feature hand-cut dovetail joints, original glass with subtle imperfections or air bubbles, heavy cast ormolu hardware with hand-chiseled detailing, and natural aging on the interior wood construction.

How can a Charles X bookcase be styled in contemporary interiors?

A Charles X bookcase works as a focal point in modern dining rooms or living spaces, providing contrast against neutral walls while housing curated ceramics, books, or glassware.

How should burr maple veneer and ormolu mounts be maintained?

Keep the wood away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent veneer cracking. Dust regularly with a soft dry cloth and clean metal mounts using a soft brush without harsh chemical polishes.

for sale €6,728 $7,303

£5,750

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA

Relevant Links

Blonde Wood Cabinet

Empire Style Bookcase

French Antique Vitrine

Antique Double Door Bookcase

Id #SA760744

PDF

SAVE

Antique French Charles X Burr Maple and Ormolu Bookcase Circa 1820 19th C

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is an fine and beautiful antique French Charles X burr maple bookcase with fabulous ormolu mounts, circa 1820 in date.

It has been crafted from the finest burr maple and is decorated with finely cast ormolu mounts typical of the Empire style.

It features a pair of astragal glazed doors enclosing two adjustable shelves, above a further pair of panelled doors enclosing an adjustable shelf, flanked by maple columns with finely detailed ormolu Corinthian Capitals.

The cabinet is raised on decorative shaped block feet.

This opulent bookcase will be the focal point of any room and will blend very well with contemporary interiors.

Complete with the original working locks and keys.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 184 x Width 130 x Depth 54

Dimensions in inches:

Height 72.4 x Width 51.2 x Depth 21.3

Charles X

Charles Philippe; 9 October 1757 – 6 November 1836, was known for most of his life as the Count of Artois before he reigned as King of France from 16 September 1824 until 2 August 1830. An uncle of the uncrowned King Louis XVII, and younger brother to reigning Kings Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, he supported the latter in exile and eventually succeeded him. His rule of almost six years ended in the July Revolution of 1830, which resulted in his abdication and the election of Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as King of the French. Exiled once again, Charles died in Gorizia, then part of the Austrian Empire.

The reign of Charles X is closely linked to the decorative style that carries his name. Furniture kept the heavy aspect it acquired during the Empire period, yet forms became suppler and lighter following the romantic trend and a renewed passion for the Gothic period. Society was also changing as the king no longer incarnated the taste to observe; now, decorative arts adapted themselves to the demands of the new bourgeois population.

The art of marquetry returned with decorative flowers, garlands and rosettes.

Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt..

Our reference: A1041

Physical Dimensions

Height

184cm (72.44")

Width

130cm (51.18")

Depth

54cm (21.26")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Burr Maple Glazed Bookcase to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA760744

Dealers Internal Reference

A1041

Description

This is an fine and beautiful antique French Charles X burr maple bookcase with fabulous ormolu mounts, circa 1820 in date.

“

It has been crafted from the finest burr maple and is decorated with finely cast ormolu mounts typical of the Empire style.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A 19th-century French Charles X burr maple glazed bookcase featuring two upper glass doors with diamond geometric glazing bars, two lower cabinet doors, and brass ormolu accents on full flanking columns. — fig 1. Antique French Charles X Burr Maple and Ormolu Bookcase Circa 1820 19th C

It features a pair of astragal glazed doors enclosing two adjustable shelves, above a further pair of panelled doors enclosing an adjustable shelf, flanked by maple columns with finely detailed ormolu Corinthian Capitals.

fig 2. A 19th-century French Charles X burr maple glazed bookcase featuring two upper glass doors with diamond geometric glazing bars, two lower cabinet doors, and brass ormolu accents on full flanking columns. — fig 2. Antique French Charles X Burr Maple and Ormolu Bookcase Circa 1820 19th C

The cabinet is raised on decorative shaped block feet.

This opulent bookcase will be the focal point of any room and will blend very well with contemporary interiors.

Complete with the original working locks and keys.

fig 3. A 19th-century French Charles X burr maple glazed bookcase featuring two upper glass doors with diamond geometric glazing bars, two lower cabinet doors, and brass ormolu accents on full flanking columns. — fig 3. Antique French Charles X Burr Maple and Ormolu Bookcase Circa 1820 19th C

Condition:

In excellent condition having been cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 184 x Width 130 x Depth 54

Dimensions in inches:

Height 72.4 x Width 51.2 x Depth 21.3

Charles X

Charles Philippe; 9 October 1757 – 6 November 1836, was known for most of his life as the Count of Artois before he reigned as King of France from 16 September 1824 until 2 August 1830. An uncle of the uncrowned King Louis XVII, and younger brother to reigning Kings Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, he supported the latter in exile and eventually succeeded him. His rule of almost six years ended in the July Revolution of 1830, which resulted in his abdication and the election of Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as King of the French. Exiled once again, Charles died in Gorizia, then part of the Austrian Empire.

The reign of Charles X is closely linked to the decorative style that carries his name. Furniture kept the heavy aspect it acquired during the Empire period, yet forms became suppler and lighter following the romantic trend and a renewed passion for the Gothic period. Society was also changing as the king no longer incarnated the taste to observe; now, decorative arts adapted themselves to the demands of the new bourgeois population.

fig 6. A 19th-century French Charles X burr maple glazed bookcase featuring two upper glass doors with diamond geometric glazing bars, two lower cabinet doors, and brass ormolu accents on full flanking columns. — fig 6. Antique French Charles X Burr Maple and Ormolu Bookcase Circa 1820 19th C

The art of marquetry returned with decorative flowers, garlands and rosettes.

Ormolu - (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

fig 7. A 19th-century French Charles X burr maple glazed bookcase featuring two upper glass doors with diamond geometric glazing bars, two lower cabinet doors, and brass ormolu accents on full flanking columns. — fig 7. Antique French Charles X Burr Maple and Ormolu Bookcase Circa 1820 19th C

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

fig 8. A 19th-century French Charles X burr maple glazed bookcase featuring two upper glass doors with diamond geometric glazing bars, two lower cabinet doors, and brass ormolu accents on full flanking columns. — fig 8. Antique French Charles X Burr Maple and Ormolu Bookcase Circa 1820 19th C

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt..

Our reference: A1041