What Is the Origin of Armoire?

Description

• An armoire is an upright two-door cupboard, typically made of wood. Modern armoires are freestanding, meaning they can be moved around. Shelves are typically built inside the unit, either alongside or below an empty space that was originally used to hang clothes. Some armoires also have drawers located either beneath the doors on the outside of the unit or hidden away inside the unit beneath the inner shelves.

Name

• Although armoires may be crafted in any region, their origins are French. The word "arma" means tools, or arms, in French. This name was given because armoires were originally used to store weapons.

History

• Armoires were first used as furniture pieces around the 16th century and were designed as a built-in cupboard. Soon after, the freestanding armoires that are commonly used today were designed. Many designs are named after French monarchs like Louis Philippe. The first armoires were made of oak and adorned with carvings and figurines that suited the person for whom it was made. Walnut was used in the making of armoires in later years because oak became difficult to find. Walnut also provided a less expensive option and made armoires more affordable to more than just the wealthier families. During this time, manufacturing of armoires increased because more people could afford to purchase them. During the 18th and 19th centuries, exotic woods were used to make armoires with distinct designs and inlays of materials like gold and silver.

Style

• Typically armoire styles reflected the periods in which they were originally made. Renaissance style armoires, for example, reflected the themes that much of the furniture pieces of that period included, with elaborate carvings of Greek figures such as goddesses and natural designs such as eagles and various floras. These armoires were made with hard woods, usually oak, and were reserved for wealthier classes. Louis XIII armoires were as fancy as Renaissance armoires in terms of embellishments but focused more on comfort and function. Louis XIV, XV and Regency period armoires often used gold and tortoiseshell accents and lacquer finishes with a Far East theme. At the turn of the 19th century, art nouveau and art deco became the style of choice for armoires. This style featured curved lines and distinctive geometric patterns.