Art Deco Double Armoire
An art deco double armoire brings striking symmetry and generous storage to a bedroom through distinctive period geometry and figured wood.
Art Deco Double Armoire
An art deco double armoire is a substantial bedroom piece built predominantly during the nineteen thirties, though examples stretch from nineteen ten through to nineteen forty. These wardrobes frequently appear as two-door clothes closets with bow front designs and fitted interiors designed for practical storage.
The form embraces styles such as traditional Art Deco and occasionally Queen Anne Revival, utilising object types that span standard wardrobes, compactums, and cabinets. Most pieces met on this page showcase walnut veneer or burr walnut, alongside birch, elm, and solid oak constructions.
Buyers seeking an art deco double armoire encounter symmetrical doors, panelled configurations, and occasionally a compactum layout combining hanging space with internal drawers. The proportions remain generous, intended to anchor a bedroom wall while providing dedicated space for garments.
How they were made
Cabinet makers constructed these wardrobes using solid timber frames overlaid with fine veneers, particularly burr walnut, figured walnut, and birds eye maple to create dramatic grain patterns across the double doors. Birch and elm also appear, providing lighter contrasting tones within Scandinavian and English workshops.
Detailing often incorporates contrasting woods and functional metalwork, with brass handles and occasional bakelite elements accentuating the geometric lines of the period. The construction relies on traditional joinery paired with veneering techniques that make the most of burls and figured growths.
Some wardrobes feature bakelite handles that offer a tactile reminder of early plastics moulded specifically for interwar interior design.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard examples and exceptional pieces rests upon the selection and matching of the veneer figures across the front doors. Symmetrical burr walnut or birds eye maple demands careful book-matching by the cabinet maker.
Internal fitting sophistication also separates the range, as simple hanging spaces contrast with comprehensive fitted interiors containing pull-out trays, shelves, and compactum compartments. The quality of the original hardware, including brass and bakelite fittings, completes the distinction.
The Art Deco Double Armoire Glossary
- Burr Walnut
- A timber harvested from walnut tree growths that produces intricate, swirling grain patterns. It is sliced into thin veneers for decorative furniture faces.
- Compactum
- A multi-functional wardrobe that combines hanging space with drawers, shelves, and compartments within a single cabinet. This form maximises storage efficiency.
- Bow Front
- A convex, curved front profile popular in period furniture design. It softens the rectangular geometry of a large wardrobe.
- Bakelite
- An early synthetic plastic used for handles and decorative accents during the period. It offers a smooth, durable finish.
Art Deco Double Armoire: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fit a large wardrobe in a modern bedroom?
Measure your ceiling height and floor space carefully before purchasing, remembering that these pieces arrive as substantial single units that require clear clearance paths through doorways and hallways.
Position the armoire against a blank wall where its symmetrical doors and figured wood can function as the primary visual anchor of the room.
What is the difference between a wardrobe and a compactum?
A standard wardrobe focuses primarily on vertical hanging space behind two or more full-length doors, tailored for coats and dresses.
A compactum integrates additional internal storage options such as drawers, linen folds, and smaller compartments alongside the main hanging section.
How should I care for walnut veneer surfaces?
Dust the wood regularly with a soft, dry cloth to prevent particulate accumulation from dulling the polished finish over time.
Keep the armoire away from direct sunlight and strong heat sources to protect the delicate veneers from drying out or splitting.
How can I tell a nineteen thirties piece from earlier designs?
Nineteen thirties pieces abandon fussy Victorian ornamentation in favour of clean geometric lines, symmetrical door panels, and dramatic wood grains like burr walnut.
Earlier examples often incorporate heavier moulded cornices and revival styles that lack the streamlined modernity characteristic of the interwar period.